A double bill of old school soul, Fela Kuti's former drummer leads his own band and country-tinged ballads from Matt Ward. David Smyth picks out the best of the weekend's gigs...

Angie Stone, Anthony Hamilton
Carling Apollo Hammersmith, W6

A double bill of singers who took a long time to achieve solo success, both of whom make music that has more in common with the vintage soul of the Seventies than the spacey R&B of today. Stone is promoting a greatest hits collection, so expect her to focus on her old favourites. (0870 400 0700). Sat 19 Aug, 7.30pm.

Tony Allen
Jazz Cafe, NW1

Still best known as Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti's drummer, despite leaving Kuti's band in the late Seventies, these days 66-year-old Allen leads his own band and raps too. He's in town to support well-received new album Lagos No Shaking. (020 7916 6060). Sat 19 Aug, 7pm.

Gavin Degraw
Shepherd's Bush Empire, W12

Singing, songwriting pianist from New York who was deemed talented enough to be signed by music industry legend Clive Davis, although his work does tend to veer towards the AOR blandness of labelmates Maroon 5. This is the third time he's played this venue. (0870 771 2000). Fri 18 Aug, 7pm.

The Blood Arm
The Macbeth, N1

Originally hyped because Franz Ferdinand kept talking them up in interviews, this LA quartet never quite took off a couple of years ago and have taken their time about writing their debut album, finally due next month. The extra effort may have paid off, however, if infectious new single Suspicious Character is anything to go by. (020 7613 2588). Fri 18 Aug, 8pm. Bush Hall, W12

M. Ward
Bush Hall, W12

Despite the unremarkable name, Matt Ward of Portland, Oregon is a rather special songwriter, whose world weary tenor and country tinged ballads are tastes well worth acquiring (writes Richard Godwin). Look out for forthcoming album, Post-War. (020 8222 6933). Sun 20 Aug, 7.30pm.