Gigs to go for: what to see in 2012

THE MACCABEES
The first big comeback of 2012 belongs to this quintet from Brighton, avoiding the boom and bust of so much indie rock by becoming ever more interesting as they get older. This week's third album (reviewed on page 44) is a lush, complex grower worthy of repeat plays for as long as it remains coat weather outside.

Jan 24, Koko, NW1 (0870 432 5527, koko.uk.com); Jan 26, O2 Academy Brixton, SW9 (0844 477 2000, o2academybrixton.co.uk)
 
EMELI SANDE
The Brits Critics' Choice award, a prize for an artist expected to hit big in the coming year, was hardly sticking its neck out naming R&B singer-songwriter Sandé for 2012. She's already had a number one duet with Professor Green and a number two hit of her own, Heaven, last summer. Now she's gigging hard to pique interest in February's debut album.

Jan 24, XOYO, EC2 (0870 264 3333 , xoyo.co.uk); Jan 25, Koko, NW1 (0870 432 5527, koko.uk.com); Feb 9, The Borderline, W1 (020 7734 2095, www.meanfiddler.com); April 16, O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire, W12 (0844 477 2000, o2shepherdsbushempire.
co.uk)
 
D'ANGELO
The reclusive soul maestro hasn't released an album since Voodoo in 2000, but this super-rare London show is a step back towards public life, while collaborator Questlove has claimed, tantalisingly, that his almost-complete comeback album "will go down in the Smile/There's a Riot Goin' On/Miles Davis's On the Corner category".

Feb 3, O2 Academy Brixton, SW9 (0844 477 2000, o2academybrixton.co.uk)
 
THE BLACK KEYS
The Ohio duo have outlived the early White Stripes comparisons to become one of the biggest rock 'n' roll bands in the world by the time of their recent seventh album. Such is the current demand for their primal thrills that a third Ally Pally date was recently added.

Feb 9-11, Alexandra Palace, N22 (0870 444 5556, alexandrapalace.com)
 
SKRILLEX
LA producer Sonny Moore is already huge in the US, where his noisy, hyperactive version of the UK's dubstep sound has earned him a reputation as a ferocious live act. He hasn't had a hit over here yet but it won't be long.

Feb 17 & 18, O2 Academy Brixton, SW9 (0844 477 2000, o2academybrixton.
co.uk)
 
NME AWARDS TOUR
The music weekly's annual mixed bag of bright new acts has a reputation for unearthing the good stuff, particularly in the lowly fourth on the bill slot. That position is occupied this year by foul-mouthed female rapper Azealia Banks, while Camden rockers Tribes, Mercury-nominated dance band Metronomy and word-of-mouth indie pop successes Two Door Cinema Club complete the line-up.

Feb 25, O2 Academy Brixton, SW9 (0844 477 2000, o2academybrixton.
co.uk)
 
RUFUS WAINWRIGHT
Nothing if not varied in his ambitions, the Canadian prima donna, first appears with the BBC Symphony Orchestra at the Barbican, with whom he will set five of Shakespeares's sonnets to music; then he pops up with a more streamlined band the following month, previewing what he claims are the "commercial" sounds of his next, Mark Ronson-produced album, Out of the Game.

March 4, Barbican, EC2 (020 7638 4141, barbican.org.uk); April 30, Lyceum, WC2 (0844 871 7627, atgtickets.com)
 
FLORENCE + THE MACHINE
Florence Welch refined and improved her gothic melodrama on her recent second album, Ceremonials, giving her enough epic tunes to justify two grand-scale London gigs this spring. Suitably spooky support comes from The Horrors.

March 8 & 9, Alexandra Palace, N22 (0870 444 5556, alexandrapalace.com)
 
SPIRITUALIZED
Jason Pierce already unveiled the songs of his seventh Spiritualized album, and first in four years, at the Albert Hall last October. This smaller scale show in a no less beautiful setting should come on the eve of its release.

March 19, Hackney Empire, E8 (020 8985 2424, hackneyempire.co.uk)
 
STING
Sting's marking his 25th year as a solo artist with a box set and this extensive tour, Back to Bass, in which he plays his hits in raw form with a five-piece band. And don't worry, he's doing Police stuff too.

March 19-21, HMV Hammersmith Apollo, W6 (0843 221 0100, hammersmithapollo.net)
 
FEIST
The Canadian singer-songwriter may disappoint fans who want to hear her biggest hit, 1234, at this deluxe show. She's moved on to more subtle and ultimately rewarding pastures on her fourth album, Metals, but should still raise a smile with the banter between the ballads here.

March 25, Royal Albert Hall, SW7 (020 7589 8212, royalalberthall.com)
 
DRAKE
When he last came to the UK this Toronto rapper was playing the Hammersmith Apollo, so he's made a giant leap since the release of his second album, Take Care, last November. Profile-raising collaborations with Rihanna, Nicki Minaj, Kanye West and Lil' Wayne have helped.

March 26-27, O2 Arena, SE10 (0871 984 0002, the02.co.uk)

ODD FUTURE WOLF GANG KILL THEM ALL
The hottest sprawling hip hop collective since the Wu-Tang Clan have been busy releasing albums as individuals or duos such as Tyler, the Creator, Frank Ocean and The Internet, so seeing them all in one spot should be a chaotic treat. If you can ignore the nasty sexism allegations, this is rap at its rawest.

March 29, O2 Academy Brixton, SW9 (0844 477 2000, o2academybrixton.
co.uk)
 
ORBITAL
Nobody thought the amiable brothers Hartnoll would stay split up for long, and indeed they've been back in their glowing spectacles playing live together for the past two years. This gig is special, though, as now the dance duo have a new album to unveil too - their first for eight years.

April 10, Royal Albert Hall, SW7 (020 7589 8212, royalalberthall.com)
 
EXAMPLE
Elliot Gleave started out as an associate of The Streets, and the rapper, singer and producer has since released two top five albums and had two number one singles. He now gets a chance to showcase his brand of stadium house in the biggest venues. Support comes from laidback rapper Wretch 32.

April 27, O2 Arena, SE10 (0871 984 0002, the02.co.uk)

NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK, BACKSTREET BOYS
The biggest American boy band of the Eighties unites with the biggest of the Nineties for a blockbuster double bill for women who should really be old enough to know better. There may now be fewer glowsticks and glittery banners in the audience, but the screams should still be as formidable.

April 28-29, O2 Arena, SE10 (0871 984 0002, the02.co.uk)
 
I'LL BE YOUR MIRROR
The people behind the All Tomorrow's Parties festivals try their hands at a one-day event. The bill remains as eclectic and taxing as ever, with the headliners on successive days comprising metal giants Slayer, post-rockers Mogwai and cult heroes The Afghan Whigs.

May 25-27, AlexandraPalace, N22 (0870 444 5556, alexandrapalace.com)
 
BIG STAR
The cult band's cultiest album, Third/Sister Lovers from 1978, is performed by a specially formed group including sole surviving member Jody Stephens, Ken Stringfellow and Mike Mills of REM, not to mention an orchestra to give it the gravitas it deserves.

May 28, Barbican, EC2 (020 7638 4141, barbican.org.uk)
 
BT RIVER OF MUSIC
The Olympics won't just include running, jumping and throwing things, but also the Cultural Olympiad, which claims to be "the biggest festival you've ever seen". It will include a weekend of free live music on six stages along the Thames, with acts including Scissor Sisters, Baaba Maal and Wynton Marsalis. Further details to be confirmed.

July 21-22 (festival.london2012.com)
 
COLDPLAY
Still showing no signs of shrinkage after five albums, Coldplay return to their natural habitat for some summer stadium shows. Their latest release, Mylo Xyloto, displayed a slight leaning towards electronic pop but those indelible melodies remained in every corner.

June 1, 2 & 4, Emirates Stadium, N7 (0871 909 0382, coldplay.com)
 
WIRELESS FESTIVAL
Hyde Park's annual summer of big names starts with this weekender for those with a tent allergy. With an emphasis on pop and hip hop, only the Sunday participants have been revealed so far - Rihanna, with able backup from Calvin Harris, Labrinth and Jessie J.

July 6-8, Hyde Park W1 (08444 999 990, wirelessfestival.co.uk)
 
HARD ROCK CALLING
This dadrock event will be more popular than ever this year - it always runs on the same weekend as Glastonbury, which is having the year off. Bruce Springsteen and his E Street band are the only confirmed headliners so far, playing on the Saturday. Expect more legends to follow.

July 13-15, Hyde Park W1 (0844 847 2502, hardrockcalling.co.uk)
 
JOHNNY HALLYDAY
At 68, the biggest thing in France since the croissant is leaving it rather late to play his first ever London gigs. As the French Elvis draws to the end of his career it's a good time to see what we've been missing.

Oct 15 & 16, Royal Albert Hall, SW7 (020 7589 8212, royalalberthall.com)