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David Smyth picks some of the best live music in London this weekend, from Beck's essential set at the Shepherd's Bush Empire to Nina Nastasia's appearance at the King's Head in Crouch End.
Beck
Shepherd's Bush Empire, W12
The genre-hopping troubadour is using this one-off intimate show to preview tracks from forthcoming album The Information, which he describes as "quasi hip hop". While his music may be less striking than it was, his live sets are becoming more and more essential. This time around each band member will have their own puppet of themselves. (0870 771 2000). Sat 2 Sep, 7pm.
Grandmaster Melle Mel & the Furious Five
Jazz Cafe, NW1
Mel's former partner Grandmaster Flash does his own thing these days, but this is still a decent collection of pioneering hip hop stars. Expect to hear enduring classics such as The Message and White Lines (Don't Do It), tracks that were massively important to hip hop's transformation from short-lived novelty to the most popular sound on the planet. (020 7916 6060). Fri 1-Sat 2 Sep, 7pm.
Nina Nastasia
King's Head Crouch End, N8
The New York-based singer-songwriter and John Peel favourite shows off tracks from wonderful imminent album On Leaving in this tiny venue. If you can't get in here, try her larger show at the Scala on 28 November. (020 8340 1028). Fri 1 Sep, 8pm.
Noise of Art: Laurent Garnier + Finis Terrae
National Film Theatre, SE1
The French techno deity performs his soundtrack to 1929 docudrama Finis Terrae, first aired at the Louvre earlier this year. Benjamin Rippert helps out by adding some conventional piano to the bleeps and blips. (020 7928 3232). Sat 2 Sep, 8pm-2am.
London Caracas: Caracas Londres
Trafalgar Square, WC2
Just after his Hyde Park garnish to the Notting Hill Carnival, the Mayor puts on a free fiesta for London's Latin American community. Bands such as Mexico's El Gran Silencio, Brazil's Os Paralamas Do Sucesso and Desorden Publico from Venezuela will bring plenty of colour to the capital, before a few London bands do the same thing in Venezuela next year. Free, Fri 1 Sep, 6pm.
Reader views (2)
Laurent Garnier was ace! Mixing the piano with the techno was inspired, and I loved the way Finis Terrae gave the music a purpose. I had an amazing night, spoiled only by a couple of arty people with mullets who were glaring at my conventional converse. How dare I not be as eccentric as them! Laurent wouldn't have minded what I wore, I loved his music, and for that he'd have loved me.
- Daniel, Brixton, 04/09/2006 08:04
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Who'd have thought Beck would still be going? He's laid back cool, a skinny white guy doing hip-hop his style, but also the right way. I love his muscial fusions and his look - welcome back to the UK Beck, can't wait to see you again.
- Krissy, Mill Hill, 01/09/2006 14:42
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