Live music in May

It’s hard to keep up with this man’s beat. Whatever Makaya McCraven touches becomes incredibly groovy. His cornerstones are improvisation, recontextualisation and reinterpretation. This drummer is one of the true greats of modern jazz.

Tue, 12 May | Moods, Zurich

New Yorker Margaret Chardiet has created a noise universe with Pharmakon that is unrivalled. Distorted noise, one might say. And yet so much more: namely, a pull into the uncomfortable, a cathartic and almost physical experience that lingers and haunts you for even longer.

Mon, 18 May | Dynamo Werk21, Zurich

Multi-instrumentalist Rory McCarthy has previously played in the bands of Connan Mockasin, Metronomy, Beck and Mac DeMarco. What you’d expect from those acts is exactly what you get from him: dreamy, psychedelic-tinged pop, unhurried yet intense and moving.

Thu, 28 May | Zentralwäscherei, Zurich

fcukers have managed, within two years, to breathe new life into the electronic sound of the 90s and 2000s. They are now on the verge of becoming the next big dance act and following in the footsteps of acts like Daft Punk and Justice. We are lucky that they are stopping off at the Plaza on their first headlining tour.

Tue, 28 May | Plaza, Zurich

“From the local pub out into the wide world” is the name of the tour for Voodoo Jürgens’ new, fourth album, “Gschnas”. In terms of sound, the Viennese pub singer ventures out into the wide world here; it becomes more modern, fresher, with the drums trotting ahead. Yet the mumbled Viennese dialect and that delightfully incomprehensible charm remain. Thankfully.

31 May | Moods, Zurich