With a number of the UK’s biggest and most impressive venues in our patch, we Midlanders are guaranteed a chance to see some of the music industry’s brightest stars as they tour the country. Our grass-roots music scene is super-cool, too. Here’s a selection of gigs worth grabbing a ticket for over the next few weeks...  

CHARLIE DORE

Charlie Dore is perhaps best known as a songwriter, an artform at which she undeniably excels; her songs have been covered by, among others, George Harrison, Tina Turner, Lisa Stansfield, Sheena Easton, Celine Dion, UB40, Status Quo, Paul Carrack and Jimmy Nail. 
She stops off at Malvern Cube in the company of her long-time collaborator (and Steeleye Span lead guitarist) Julian Littman.

Malvern Cube, Friday 7 November

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HANNAH BRINE

Lush ballads and energetic jazz anthems are a guarantee whenever Hannah Brine comes to town. Taking her inspiration from the Great American Songbook, Hannah has a voice and songwriting style that’s seen her likened to, among others, Rumer, Carole King and Norah Jones. 
She visits the region this month in support of her debut album, Blue Sky Now. 

Kings Bromley Jazz Club, Staffordshire, Wednesday 12 November

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BABYSHAMBLES

Pete Doherty fronts this London band, which has undergone several changes in its line-up since being formed back in 2004. Heavily influenced by Britpop and punk, Babyshambles were initially viewed as a Doherty sideline - having been formed while he was still involved with The Libertines - but regular chart success eventually saw them develop an identity all their own... This latest tour coincides with the 20th anniversary of the band’s much-loved debut album, Down In Albion.

hmv Empire, Coventry, Thursday 13 November; Keele University, Stoke-on-Trent, Tuesday 25 November; O2 Academy, Birmingham, Wednesday 26 November

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HUGH CORNWELL

Hugh Cornwell is best known as the vocalist and guitarist for punk rock/new wave band The Stranglers, with whom he played from 1974 to 1990.
One of the most celebrated songwriters of his generation, Hugh boasts a back-catalogue that includes Peaches, No More Heroes, Golden Brown, Always The Sun and Duchess. 
This Coventry concert is a ‘full band show featuring the Nosferatu album in full, Stranglers choice cuts and solo delicacies’. He’s joined for the gig by explosive Wall of Sound group The Courettes.

Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Friday 14 November 

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BETTER JOY

Founded and fronted by Mancunian musician Bria Keely, alternative pop outfit Better Joy play music that’s all about contrasts; their sound is bright but also dark, fun but also moody, often blending energetic guitars with lazy vocals. Inspiration comes from many different sources, included among which are The Smiths and The Cure. 
Bria is the band’s songwriter as well as their vocalist, and more often than not pens lyrics about relationships, not only romantic ones but also the relationship which she has with herself.  
Better Joy will follow up their Coventry gig with another visit to the region later in the month, supporting Amy MacDonald in Wolverhampton on Friday the 21st.  

Coventry Central Library, Saturday 15 November

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BASTILLE

To say that indie-pop four-piece Bastille made a splash when they arrived on the scene would be an understatement. Their debut album, Bad Blood, released in 2013, was twice number one, certified double-platinum and named the biggest-selling digital album of the year. The band then went on to be named British Breakthrough Act at the 2014 Brit Awards... They stop off in Birmingham mid-month with their latest touring show, Songs From The First 15 Years. Special guests are Sofia Camara & Ruti. 

bp pulse LIVE, Birmingham, Saturday 15 November

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LEVEL 42

Forty-six years after forming, and with more than 30 million albums sold worldwide, Level 42 have hit the road to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the album that set them on the path to superstardom.
The now-double-Platinum World Machine, their sixth studio album, was the record on which they cemented the sound and the style that led to them becoming one of the most successful bands in the world... They are joined at Victoria Hall by Roachford.

Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Sunday 16 November

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AMY MACDONALD

Dunbartonshire-born singer-songwriter Amy Macdonald has released six albums, sold more than 12 million records worldwide, earned 12 Platinum certifications, performed in front of more than five million people, accumulated in excess of a billion streams, and won plenty of silverware in the 18 years since the release of her debut album, This Is The Life. 
She visits Wolverhampton this month in support of latest studio album Is This What You’ve Been Waiting For?, released in the summer to significant critical acclaim. Support on the night comes from Manchester-based alternative pop outfit Better Joy. 

The Civic at The Halls Wolverhampton, Friday 21 November

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SOUND OF THE SIRENS

Rightly considered to be one of the UK’s hardest-working folk acts, Abbe Martin & Hannah Wood are nowadays reaping the rewards of a decade spent honing their craft. The West Country duo, who write and perform everything from beautiful, emotive ballads, to upbeat, foot-stomping, hands-in-the-air anthems, have been widely praised for the quality of their live shows, during which their authentic camaraderie and natural chemistry is evident for all to see.

The Marrs Bar, Worcester, Friday 21 November

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THE WAILERS

Originally curated in Kingston, Jamaica, in 1969 by Bob Marley, Bunny Wailer and Peter Tosh, The Wailers had one ambition and one ambition only - to reach an international audience. In doing so, the band took their inspiration from the Rastafari movement and introduced the sound of reggae to the world. Together with Marley, The Wailers have sold in excess of 250 million albums worldwide, playing at venues across the globe in the process.
They’re here celebrating the 40th anniversary of their acclaimed compilation album, Legend. The record remains the best selling reggae album of all time.

O2 Institute, Birmingham, Wednesday 26 November

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THE URBAN FOLK QUARTET

The Urban Folk Quartet are like no other folk band. With Birmingham’s vibrant and diverse music scene having a significant influence on their work, they dabble in all kinds of sounds, from funk grooves and Middle-Eastern melodies, to afrobeat and north Indian rhythms. They tug their collective forelock in the direction of more-traditional folk too, describing their music as ‘fiddle-led’ and drawing heavily on ‘Celtic dance forms and traditional song’. 

Huntingdon Hall, Worcester, Thursday 27 November

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HERBERT & MOMOKO

With a shared passion for pushing sonic boundaries, Matthew Herbert and Momoko Gill stop off in Birmingham this month with a collaborative project that sees them producing a sound which treads nimbly between the dancefloor and the more introspective moods of the early hours. The gig comes in support of debut album Clay. 

Hare & Hounds, Birmingham, Thursday 27 November

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ORPHY ROBINSON

Orphy Robinson is a bonafide jazz legend whose career highlights include playing with Courtney Pine in the Jazz Warriors and releasing two critically acclaimed albums: The Vibes Describes and When Tomorrow Comes... He appears in the region this month alongside Xantoné Blacq, Andy Grappy and Maurizio Ravalico. 
“It’ll be my own material,” says Orphy, in chatting about the gig. “Xantoné and myself have been talking about it for a few years. We wanted to go a bit more ‘blues’, but like, modern-day, with a bit of funk in there, but very much feeling blues aspects. We felt that was missing in a lot of stuff.” 

Wolverhampton Arts Centre, Thursday 27 November

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BEANS ON TOAST

Self-confessed hippie drunkard Beans On Toast selected his name because he wanted to be called something basic and simple - to reflect his music!
“I’m not the greatest guitarist in the world,” he once admitted to Listen Up Manchester. “I play simple three-chord folk songs, but if I see something that interests me, something that intrigues or angers me, I pick up my guitar and I write a song.”
Emerging from the London folk scene two decades ago and mainly singing about sex, drugs and politics, Beans On Toast is a surefire bet for an entertaining evening out.

Albert’s Shed, Shrewsbury, Friday 28 November

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WOLF ALICE

Although starting out as an acoustic duo, Ellie Rowsell and Joff Oddie evolved their music to include more rock elements, leading to their North London quartet, Wolf Alice, being compared to, among others, Hole and Elastica. Recent years have seen their output receiving the recognition it deserves, with 2018’s Visions Of A Life bagging them a Mercury Music Prize and 2022’s Blue Weekend leading to them picking up the Brit Award for Best Group. They’re visiting Birmingham this month in support of recently released fourth album The Clearing.

Utilita Arena Birmingham, Saturday 29 November

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JOOLS HOLLAND

Jools Holland is often viewed - somewhat unfairly, it should be said - as little more than an arch-fan, albeit one with his finger firmly on the musical pulse. 
His well-established BBC TV show has long been an eclectic mixture of styles and genres, encompassing music from across the world. Jools’ talent on the piano is immense, his attitude towards his famed Rhythm & Blues Orchestra friendly and egalitarian. The result is a joyous celebration of music, and a sound to which you can’t help but tap your feet. 
He’s joined for these Symphony Hall concerts by Imelda May, Ruby Turner, Louise Marshall and Sumudu Jayatilaka.

Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Saturday 29 & Sunday 30 November