Theo Katzman – 2026-06-12 - live in Lower Clapton Road London E5 0PD , Jun 12, 2026

R&B

“Modern Johnny is a feeling,” says acclaimed singer-songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Theo Katzman in regards to his forthcoming self-release Modern Johnny Sings: Songs in the Age of Vibe, due out in early 2020. “It’s closer to Vonnegut’s Kilgore Trout than Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust—Modern Johnny represents the journey, the quest, the plight of the singer-songwriter trying to make it in today’s music world.”
Known for his rock-and-roll inspired solo albums, as well as his contributions to internet funk sensation Vulfpeck, Katzman has had this feeling bubbling in the recesses of his mind for some time now, weaving its way through his songwriting process and onto his recordings. The feeling itself is multi-dimensional: it’s a subtle sarcasm, but not at the expense of sincerity; criticism, but not at the expense of joy; character, but not at the expense of vulnerability.
Modern Johnny is not an alter-ego per se, but he and Katzman do have some striking similarities. Both were born in the mid-‘80s, forming their musical identities from the rubble of ‘90s rock radio, the remains of their parents’ record collections, a handful of ‘Greatest Hits’ compilations on Compact Disc, and several hard drives’ worth of miscredited MP3s from Napster. Both arrived in Los Angeles in the mid 2010’s with a “songs-can-change-the-world” attitude, fully expecting to join the Eagles. Both find themselves stumbling through the free market in the age of social, the age of streaming…the Age of Vibe.
The year is 2020. Billy Joel hasn’t released an album in over two and a half decades, Stevie Wonder is ranked 230th on Spotify, and The Beatles are best known for their appearance in the XBOX video game “Rock Band.” It’s hard to know what to make of all of this… and Modern Johnny isn’t necessarily what the kids are asking for. He’s too heart to be hip, too hip to be pop, too pop to be rock, and too rock to be art.

Ages 14+ (Under 16s to be accompanied by an adult 18+)

Please note that tickets are sold as Ground Floor Standing and Balcony Unreserved Seating respectively. Standing ticket holders may not access the Balcony area and vice versa.

We welcome anyone with accessibility requirements and will endeavour to accommodate any needs you may have. Please get in touch prior to making a booking by emailing support@hackney.church
 
About Hackney Church
Located in the heart of East London, Hackney Church, officially known as St John at Hackney, is the historic parish church of Hackney, dating back to 1792. Today, the church is part of SAINT, a thriving church meeting across multiple East London locations. Following a multi-million-pound restoration, part-funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the church has undergone a substantial transformation, driven by a vision to create a ‘cathedral of creativity’ to serve the local community and beyond. This project was spearheaded by an acclaimed team including world-renowned minimalist architect John Pawson CBE, visual artist Es Devlin, and conservation experts Thomas Ford & Partners. The renovation not only improved the church’s accessibility but also meticulously preserved its historical integrity, establishing it as an impressive centre for community engagement. Hackney Church functions as a premier venue for live music, arts and culture, intertwined with Hackney’s cultural and social landscape.

About Lighthouse
Lighthouse is the dedicated social outreach arm of SAINT, started in 2016 to provide support and services to local people in need across East London. Supported by hundreds of volunteers, and funded by community donations, grants and live shows at Hackney Church, Lighthouse provides holistic support to individuals and families in need, spanning a range of services designed to combat poverty, homelessness, loneliness and social exclusion. Key initiatives have included a food bank that has distributed almost half a million meals since 2020, the provision of delicious hot community meals in partnership with restaurant Moro, and comprehensive homeless outreach that provides essential support services and signposting. Lighthouse also engages in extensive community support efforts, employment assistance, finance courses, and skills development workshops, all aimed at helping those in crisis and pointing towards a hope-filled future.

Get tickets for this event on: Ticketmaster

FIND YOUR PERFECT STAY NEAR: Lower Clapton Road London E5 0PD

📍 Explore the map below and click on the pins to discover exclusive deals from our trusted partners!

---