This Wednesday, we partner up with London gig maestros Plastic Factory on their latest showcase of rising talent. Held at The Shacklewell Arms, the line-up features Brooklyn art rock duo Sex Week, British singer-songwriter Tommy Barlow, and London-based duo Most Things.

Most Things – Londoner Tom Phillips and New Yorker Malachy O’Neill – are one of London’s most intriguing acts on the circuit, blending sharp storytelling with stark, rhythmic arrangements: sounding both instantly familiar and wildly unpredictable. It’s a bit Ian Dury, a bit Mark E. Smith, and very, very good. In anticipation of Most Things’ Plastic Factory performance, we asked them to curate a playlist of tracks ideal for building that pre-gig energy – and they delivered.

“This is Tom of Most Things making a playlist of songs we might listen to before a gig. I’ve sort to include tracks that engender calm or elation or freedom. Many songs are not on Spotify but these ones are.”

ogre song by uv raymond
“I’ve actually met uv raymond one time. He was chewing gum and I asked for one. He put a small human tooth in my hand.”

Wings by Mica Levi
“Wings is the track I asked to be played before going on stage at the first ever Most Things gig, I will also ask for it at the last one if I get the chance.”

Rose by The Fall
“Every song by The Fall is a song by The Fall and that’s what’s so good about The Fall.”

Goodbye Horses by Q Lazzarus
“Before playing a show I put on my skin and Goodbye Horses is such a powerful song. I would have chosen a demo version I love but couldn’t find it on Spotify.”

Caught You in a Lie by Louisa Mark
“This gives me a real good feeling.”

Rhymes Speak by Big Cakes
“I got this Big Cakes EP at Chapel Market when I was maybe ten and used to know every word, it’s grounding to hear it.”

Untitled 01 by Hype Williams
“This song is long and unending and certain, which is the feeling you need in your legs before being an imagined self for strangers.”

Adam Wakes Up by Country Teasers
“Country Teasers makes me feel good and true and quite sure of my decisions and general outlook.”

Instinct by The Moles
Instinct is a banger, big up The Moles.

Paradise is for the Blessed by Television Personalities
“I have a memory of listening to Paradise is for the Blessed whilst driving my mum’s car full of friends along a road toward the beyond of London, and it’s a good memory.”

Oho My Eyes by Ivor Cutler
“Ivor Cutler gets my eyes sharp.”

You and Me, Marie by xmal
“xmal gets my soul out of bed.”

Most Things play at The Shacklewell Arms on Wednesday 20th August as part of Plastic Factory. Buy tickets here.