Rapper Little Simz became the latest huge name to play Alexandra Palace this weekend with two triumphant homecoming gigs at the Muswell Hill landmark.
The venue's 150th anniversary year has cemented its status at the cutting edge of Britain's music scene.
The People's Palace recently hosted an epic five night residency from Mercury Prize nominee Fred Again and has also hosted indie royalty The National, singer, songwriter and producer James Blake, and British pop-rock band McFly alongside Four Tet, Fatboy Slim, Avril Lavigne, and Carly Ray Jepsen.
Still to come before the year is out are rapper The Streets, disco icon Jessie Ware, electronic dance band The Prodigy, pop disruptor Ashnikko and punk and hip hop duo Sleaford Mods.
But the weekend belonged to the Islington rapper, aka Simbiatu Ajikawo, performing her biggest shows to date in support of her album No Thank You.
The Mercury prizewinner, who used to skate at the adjoining ice rink, told the sold out crowd "London, right now I need you to understand that you are witnessing greatness," and the five star reviews from multiple critics agreed, she's a bona fide star.
Simon Fell, Alexandra Palace’s director of events said: “It’s been an unbelievable year for live music at Ally Pally. The number and profile of artists playing here has been mind-blowing, and it’s been brilliant to offer such varied and diverse programme to fans. Since the 60s the venue has built a reputation as a go to place for music, but over the last decade in particular things have gone to another level. This is the biggest year for music in our history and we’re planning next year to be even bigger.”
The venue has once again hosted Later…with Jools Holland, which has recorded its last four series in the Victorian Theatre. Jorja Smith, Take That, Nitin Sawhney, Romy and The Last Dinner Party, are among the acts to perform on the latest series.
Next year sees a joint-headline performance from Manic Street Preachers and Suede in Alexandra Palace Park on 18 July 2024. Other highlights include indie-rock stalwarts Bombay Bicycle Club, singer-songwriter-producer Sampha, and post-punk mainstays The The.
Alexandra Palace also named DICE, the live events platform, as their primary ticketing partner. DICE’s fan-first approach to ticket sales allows Ally Pally to develop its services for customers with the ‘Waiting List’ function giving them the chance to attend sold out shows without participating in the secondary resale market.
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