THE FLOWERPOT'S DEMISE + LITTLE NOISE SECRETS + CHESNEY HAWKES SAY NO MORE

DESPITE management being “gutted” at shutting down, The Flowerpot’s final night on Sunday was one hell of a party. Shame Camden loses such an important venue in the year Mayor Jonathan Simpson has worked so hard to champion the borough’s musical heritage. Luckily they’re already working on a new home.


• Now’s the time to speculate on which special guests are going to pop up at the Union Chapel’s Mencap Little Noise Sessions. I’m thinking the Pet Shop Boys, who are playing the Big Noise Sessions, may just pop in on Hurts night (Nov 17). Or how about Kylie? She recently recorded a song with Hurts, is she due in the UK around then...Course I’m still hoping to see Paolo Nutini team up with Amy Winehouse. She’s played her fair share of secret gigs lately, so maybe she’ll joins our Scottish Italian darling on Nov 16.



• Atlanta soul artist Anthony David who played the Jazz Cafe last Thursday may have a brief insight into what it's like to be inside the President of the USA's mind. Apparently, he’s on Barak Obama’s iPod (a recommendation from the wife), as well as being cousins with Shawn Stockman of Boys II Men.

• My spies at the Camden Crawl launch party at the Bull and Gate last week have tipped Jon and Jehn as a defo must when planning your crawl route next year. Early bird tickets on sale now.

• Chesney Hawkes played The Luminaire last week – yes he is still going.

• The Constitution on St Pancras Way may be off the beaten track but hey, that’s where you find rough gems. Their sideline in decent gigs is a reasonably-guarded secret, see for yourself next time you're on the hunt for a good unsigned act,

N-DUBZ TAKE OVER YOUR TV, PRECIOUS BLACK KEYS TICKETS, GET YOUR SOCKS ON FOR MICHAEL JACKSON MEMORIAL

IF YOU'VE been lucky enough to snap up a ticket for The Black Keys at Camden Roundhouse (June 23), clutch it tight, everyone wants one and quite rightly so. 

If you’re looking to mix it up, how about some N*E*R*D* at Kentish Town Forum (June 21) – we love you Pharrell. Over at Camden Barfly there’s Aussie quartet Blackchords on June 18 and diminutive Tiny Tempah (June 21). Or if you think you can do better, how about Rockaoke at Proud Camden on June 27? Meanwhile, I need to set my TV to record the N-Dubz documentary on Channel 4 on Monday – Camden’s sure to feature heavily and these guys are always good for a laugh.

• Buskers wanted! Aspiring musicians dreaming of playing the iconic 1970s Brunswick Centre can now send in demos for consideration. All genres are welcome, see www.brunswick.co.uk/brunswicklive. Tomorrow (Friday) and Saturday, acoustic pop trio Miccoli will play a special two-day gig.

• Leaping from Verdi to Erasure, Britney Spears to Peggy Lee via Jacques Brel, Judy Garland, Kylie Minogue, and Soft Cell, London Gay Men’s Chorus is bringing the stunning Seven Deadly Sins to Camden Roundhouse (June 25 & 26). Adding a touch of the urban are DNA Mix, a group of young, straight, rapping dads, who’ve teamed up with the Chorus to mash up Jealous Guy. Information fromwww.lgmc.org.uk

• It’s a year since poor Michael Jackson’s death and the famous Club de Fromage is paying tribute to the King of Pop at the 02 Academy Islington (June 26). Dig out the white ankle socks, roll up your sleeves and remember anyone in fancy dress skips the queue.