Gigs during the daytime are such a great idea. Instead of the usual beers and warm white wine, at an event run by Daylight Music you can enjoy a cup of tea, delicious home made cakes, plus quiche and sausage rolls – there’s also a selection of children’s drinks too. Then spend a couple of hours listening to live music and still make it home by mid afternoon in time for, well, another cup of tea.
Daylight Music has been around for many years; I used to head along on Saturdays to Union Chapel on Upper Street where they held their events. Their gigs are generally set in churches so typically feature more mellow, soothing music. Post-lockdown, it seemed as though their shows had come to an end, but I was thrilled to discover that Daylight Music had simply relocated to other venues. One such spot is the very welcoming and comfortable space of St John’s Church, Leytonstone, where the magic continues.
Saturday’s performance, from 12–2pm, was a Lost Map Records special, featuring Flo Lines, Afterlands and Johnny Lynch (Pictish Trail) doing a solo set. Flo’s measured and contemplative sounds provided the perfect start to the day.



Afterlands, based in Scotland, were defeated by Storm Eowyn and were unable to drive down to London. Looking for someone last-minute to fill the slot, and also make the most of the church’s grand piano, Johnny Lynch called up Alexis Taylor, of Hot Chip. Fortunately he was able to make it!
Each performer played around six songs each. Alexis included his latest, A Day in the Life of a Tree, a Beach Boys number which he has released with Rachel Kitchlew & Alice Boyd, in support of the conservation of nature’s most precious and precarious ecosystems. This was followed by Johnny Lynch’s own set, punctuated with a few hilarious anecdotes. With his new album on the horizon, we were treated to a couple of tracks from it.



Daylight Music has been a fixture for 15 years, but like much of the live music scene today, it relies on funding to survive. While Arts Council support is available for now, its long-term future needs support too. Visit their website, attend an event, and don’t forget to grab some of their great merchandise (and plenty of cake) to help secure their continuation and keep the music alive.
Look out for more events on their website at Daylight Music
Photography ©oliviarosen