The best lockdown live streams for music

Lockdown is the new locked up. So, to help you navigate your way through this pandemic with an element of chilled whimsy, artists around the globe are live-streaming gigs from the comfort of their sitting rooms, bedrooms and even recording studios, all to keep you grinning. Sure, the bigwigs such as Jools Holland and Chris Martin might be leading the way in the popular streaming sector, but which ones are the best for alt fans? Some top choices are as follows…

Quarantine Karaoke — Jack Saunders

Kicking off quarantine proceedings with a rock-tinged twist on a classic karaoke, Jack Saunders has been inviting celebrity friends to join him on a Sunday night. So far, he’s welcomed Rou Reynolds from Enter Shikari, Miles Kane, Matt Thomson from The Amazons, Theresa Jarvis from YONAKA and more.

Cocktail Class — Kid Kapichi

The lads have recently announced that they’ll be recording weekly ‘Lockdown Lowdown’ podcasts, though they curated a recipe for fun beyond the realms of music earlier this month. Kid Kapichi rustled up ingredients for their most-cherished cocktails so you could mix the tipples along with the Q&A show.

Rough Trade Transmissions

If you use the DICE app to keep you up to date with gigs and events, you might’ve spied the different artists playing Rough Trade Transmissions this week. There’s a mishmash of talent on the billing, but I’m mostly game for Ásgeir and Dream Wife. You’ll need tickets, despite them being free.

Virtual party with Distrikt Bar, Leeds

Naturally, having postponed their Earth Day celebrations due to Coronavirus, Leeds’ iconic underground bar, Distrikt, won’t be happy about calling off a party. As a consolation, they’re due to host a 17-hour session of DJ sets on Saturday 25th April, with local favourites such as Reeshy hitting the decks from home.

Room Service Fest

Also this weekend, at various times throughout Saturday and Sunday, a medley of artists will be doing their thing as part of Room Service Fest. It’s got a nice ring to it, hasn’t it? The likes of electronic groove gurus, Chromeo, will be taking part, alongside Yungblud and Netsky.