The 25 must-see London gigs

By John Aizlewood, Amira Hashish, Rick Pearson and David Smyth 15.05.09

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From Britney Spears's circus to Jack White's new band, an extraordinary line-up of stars are coming to play in London before the summer festival season. Check out our 25 must sees...

GIRLS ALOUD
Following praise for their April shows, the manufactured pop favourites are back. The main focus will be on their new album Out of Control but no doubt the big hits will get the warmest reception. Bring on Sound of the Underground, Love Machine and Biology.
23 & 24 May, O2 Arena, SE10 (0871 984 0002). the02.co.uk. 26 & 27 May, Wembley Arena, (0870 060 0870). whatsonwembley.com.

ISLAND LIFE FESTIVAL
For 50 years, Island has been Britain's most innovative record label. A celebration as varied as the roster itself, these marvellously eclectic dates embrace old (Steel Pulse, Aswad, Tom Tom Club) and new (Keane, Fratellis). The stand-out should be Amy Winehouse supported by reggae legends Toots and The Maytals on the 31st.
26-31 May Shepherds Bush Empire, W12 (0844 477 2000). shepherds-bush-empire.co.uk.

MORRISSEY
This tour has been marked by a clutch of cancellations owing to an unspecified health problem but if Morrissey manages to flee his sick bed, his live brilliance will remain undimmed. His crowd know how to adore like no other, so expect only rabid genuflection. And some flowers.
26 May, Troxy, E1 (020 7734 3922), troxy.co.uk, 28-30 May, Brixton Academy, SW9 (0844 477 2000). brixton-academy.co.uk.

LITTLE BOOTS
She still hasn't had a hit but Blackpool's Victoria Hesketh has spent 2009 surrounded by more buzz than a beehive. Her jaunty first single, New in Town, comes out in the week of these two shows (the first gig a freebie for iTunes) and should confirm her status as this year's disco queen.
26 May, Apple store, W1. apple.com/uk/retail/regentstreet; 28 May, Heaven, WC2 (0844 847 2351). heaven-live.co.uk.

MAXIMO PARK
The bookish Geordies have just released their third album, another collection of hyperactive indie pop that will give jittery singer Paul Smith even more reason to jump around at three big London shows. Look out for new track, Wraithlike, which makes much of their raucous past output sound positively genteel.
26-28 May, Brixton Academy, SW9 (0844 477 2000). brixton-academy.co.uk.

LA ROUX
The rock weekly NME goes to the disco with its latest package tour, a collection of dancefloor-friendly up-and-comers topped by current top-10 resident La Roux. Look out, too, for Soft Cell-style synthpoppers Heartbreak and slightly more indie Essex boys Magistrates.
22 May, Koko, NW1 (0870 432 5527). koko.uk.com.

FLORENCE & THE MACHINE
Florence Welch and her Machine are tipped for the biggest of things. On record, they're a quirky delight but live they're an absolute revelation. She's a tsunami: part minx, part batty aunt and part genuinely inspired songwriter. She's out there, but hugely accessible - in other words, a huge star.
27 May, Bloomsbury Ballroom, WC1 (0870 534 4444). bloomsburyballroom.co.uk.

GOSSIP
Beth Ditto hastily puts her clothes back on to discover that, 10 years after they formed, her band are finally big time. Forthcoming album Music for Men is their first for a major label and is produced by studio legend Rick Rubin. Expect a sneaky peak at plenty of new songs at this small-scale comeback show.
28 May, The Scala, N1 (020 7833 2022). scala-london.co.uk.

MANIC STREET PREACHERS
There'll be emotional scenes at the Manics' first London shows in a while as they unveil tracks from dark-hearted latest album Journal for Plague Lovers, their first to feature lyrics by vanished member Richey Edwards since The Holy Bible 15 years ago.
28-30 May, Roundhouse, NW1 (0870 389 1846). roundhouse.org.uk.

BOYZONE
It hasn't been a comeback to rival that of fellow formation dancers Take That (whose has?) but a year after their first reunion tour the Irish crooners still find themselves in demand. A new album, their first in a decade, is reportedly in the works as well.
29 & 30 May, Wembley Arena, (0870 060 0870). whatsonwembley.com. 22 & 23 June, O2 Arena, SE10 (0871 984 0002). the02.co.uk.

DEPECHE MODE
David Gahan was felled by a pesky bout of gastroenteritis in Athens this week, but he's had worse troubles and he'll recover in time for this dark, ferocious celebration of Britain's greatest electro band.
30 May, O2 Arena, SE10 (0871 984 0002). the02.co.uk.

BRITNEY SPEARS
Roll up, roll up Britney's Circus tour is coming to town. The pop queen's O2 residency has been a long time coming, this being her first arena tour in five years. Expect glamour, spectacle and an abundance of high-energy backing dancers.
3-14 June, O2 Arena, SE10 (0871 984 0002). the02.co.uk.

THE HORRORS
Faris Rotter's Gothic crew showcase songs from their second album, Primary Colours. Expect loud guitars, anguished vocals and outrageous haircuts in a horror show that's not to be missed.
5 June, Electric Ballroom, NW1 (020 7485 9006). electric-ballroom.co.uk.

CALVIN HARRIS
Calvin Harris is a big fan of the summer - donning his signature shades at every opportunity. Apt, then, that he should be one of Capital FM's Summertime Ball headliners. Joining him are the likes of Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Leona Lewis.
7 June, Emirates Stadium, N5 (0845 262 0004). arsenal.com/emiratesstadium.

LISSY TRULLIE
Indie newbie Trullie comes from a long line of overly cool New Yorkers that includes Debbie Harry and Patti Smith. With model looks, wiry guitar and a deep voice for a girl, she's what Kate Moss would be if she were a singer instead of a mannequin.
8 June, ICA, SW1 (020 7930 3647). ica.org.uk.

KATY PERRY
The jury hasn't yet returned its verdict on whether Perry is a one-hit wonder but these dates should settle the matter. I Kissed a Girl remains an outpouring of pop joy and live the former gospel act Kathryn Hudson often dresses in fruit and is surprisingly compelling.
9 & 10 June, Shepherds Bush Empire, W12 (0844 477 2000). shepherds-bush-empire.co.uk.

YONO ONO PLASTIC ONO BAND
John Lennon and Plastic Ono Band never played Britain. He's gone but widow Yoko, son Sean and Japanese avant-gardists Cornelius, plus some mystery guests (probably including Meltdown curator Ornette Coleman who last worked with Ono in 1968) ought to create something very special. And probably something very loud, too.
14 June, Festival Hall, SE1 (0871 663 2500). southbankcentre.co.uk.

JONAS BROTHERS
You've got to give it to Disney - it churns out catchy tunes better than anyone else. And who better to deliver them than the three fresh-faced stars of Camp Rock? Here's hoping Wembley Arena has the capacity for their throng of teenage fans.
15 June, Wembley Arena, (0870 060 0870). whatsonwembley.com.

ERIC CLAPTON
Back in 1987, Britain's most popular and best-dressed bluesman chanced his arm on a six-night Royal Albert Hall residency. Twenty-two years later, he's still at it, although this is his first season since 2006. The gig next Tuesday is his 150th solo Albert Hall show. There may very well be guitar solos.
16-17, 19-20, 22-23, 25-26, 28-29, 31 May, Albert Hall, SW7 (020 7589 8212). royalalberthall.com.

JARVIS COCKER
Britpop's favourite singing geography teacher gives a lesson in wry, witty songwriting at the Troxy. The former Pulp frontman has a new album out, Further Complications, so you can bet your tweed jacket there'll be some new hits among the old favourites.
17 June, Troxy, E1 (020 7790 9000) troxy.co.uk.

PET SHOP BOYS
Their commercial star may have long waned, but their glorious back catalogue means they can still fill the O2. Always warmer than they seem at first glance, these two older gentlemen will offer a marvellously theatrical spectacle if past excursions are any yardstick but don't expect Chris Lowe to move.
19 June O2 Arena, SE10 (0871 984 0002). www.the02.co.uk.

ORNETTE COLEMAN
Both shows feature the jazz legend and Meltdown curator Coleman with the Master Musicians of Jajouka but on the 19th they explore Coleman's astonishing 1959 opus, The Shape of Jazz to Come and on the 21st they grapple with 1960's landmark This Is Our Music. Terrifyingly intense but brilliant.
19 & 21 June, Festival Hall, SE1 (0871 663 2500). southbankcentre.co.uk.

NOISETTES
Once rowdy indie rockers, this London trio have lately found fame by appearing on a Mazda advert and going seriously pop on their second album. The contrast between earlier work and newer stuff, such as bouncy hit single Don't Upset the Rhythm, may make their biggest London gig yet a game of two halves.
23 June, Koko, NW1 (0870 432 5527). koko.uk.com.

THE STREETS
Another chance to catch Mike Skinner at the Brixton Academy after his January show was cancelled due to a power cut. Barring another electrical failure, this will be high-voltage stuff, with Skinner combining tales of birds and chip shops with more thoughtful material from his latest album, Everything Is Borrowed.
23 June, Brixton Academy, SW9 (0844 477 2000). brixton-academy.co.uk.

DEAD WEATHER
Jack White adds to his band's portfolio by playing his first London show with this supergroup of sorts. It features Alison Mosshart of The Kills plus members of Queens of the Stone Age and White's other sideline The Raconteurs, plus the man himself on guitar.
24 June, HMV Forum, NW5 (0844 847 2405). kentish town forum.com.

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