Critic's choice: top 5 gigs

 Add your view

Bossa nova beauty: Bebel Gilberto will set the Roundhouse alight with Brazilian beats

Look here too

• Get music downloads from just 29p
• Buy now: Compare prices on CDs

Give It A Name
Earls Court, SW5
Earls Court becomes Rock Central this weekend, as the exhibition hall is ransacked by multiple metal and emo bands, and their headbanging fans. Big names to look out for include HIM and the Used on Friday, Brand New and Enter Shikari on Saturday, and Jimmy Eat World and AFI on Sunday.
0870 903 9033). Tonight-Sun 29 Apr, 7pm.

James
Brixton Academy, SW9
One of the less newsworthy reunions of recent years, nevertheless fans of James's jangly Nineties indie pop will be pleased to see the Manchester band together on stage for the first time since 2001. New material is promised, too.
(0870 771 2000). Tonight, 7pm.

Bebel Gilberto
Roundhouse, NW1
Huge-selling Brazilian star, who takes the bossa nova sound of her father Joao Gilberto and adds subtle touches of electronica to bring it up to date and win over a large western audience. Recent third album Momento is unlikely to top the success of her debut, Tanto Tempo, but is an enchanting listen all the same.
(0870 389 1846). Tonight, 7pm.

Chas and Dave
Hackney Empire, E8
Adored by both the Guilty Pleasures crowd and younger hipsters thanks to the enthusiastic, non-ironic endorsement of The Libertines, cockney charmers Charles Hodges and David Peacock may not have had a hit single for a while but are currently playing some pretty big gigs.
(020 8985 2424). Sat 28 Apr, 7pm.

Bill Callahan
Queen Elizabeth Hall, SE1
Better known as Smog, or even as Joanna Newsom's boyfriend, after years of bleak, lo-fi releases singer-songwriter Callahan is finally recording under his own name. Expect to hear highlights from latest album Woke on a Whaleheart here.
(08703 800 400) Sat 28 Apr, 7.30pm.

 

What's on today   What's on tomorrow

Receive our newsletter