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...  

THE BRAND NEW HEAVIES

Pioneers of the London acid jazz scene, The Brand New Heavies have been responsible for some of the UK’s biggest R&B and soul tracks (think Dream On Dreamer, Never Stop, Dream Come True and Midnight At The Oasis).

The band visit Wolverhampton this month as part of a short UK tour and are looking forward to their Midlands stop-off: “We can’t wait to hit the road again! There’s nothing quite like the connection we feel when we play these songs together. This tour is all about sharing that joy, funk and love with everyone - old friends and new faces alike!”

The Wulfrun at The Halls Wolverhampton, Friday 27 March

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MILES HUNT

Local lad Miles Hunt is best known, of course, as the frontman, lead vocalist and primary songwriter of The Wonder Stuff, the Stourbridge band with whom he burst onto the rock scene way back in 1987. 
This month’s solo visit to Wolverhampton sees him playing songs and telling tales from his 40 years in the music industry... 
Due to popular demand, Miles will be performing at the Arts Centre twice on Saturday the 28th, at 2pm and 7.30pm.

Wolverhampton Arts Centre, Saturday 28 March

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MISHRA

From meditative raag-inspired improvisations to high-energy celtic dance tunes underpinned by unstoppable percussive grooves, genre-defying five-piece favourites Mishra draw on their training in Indian classical, UK folk and contemporary classical. They also boast a distinctive instrumental palette, including santoor, banjo, clarinet, low whistle, double bass, and a vast array of percussion. They’re bringing their continent-spanning musical textures to Shropshire as part of a UK tour. 

The Edge Arts Centre, Much Wenlock, South Shropshire, Tuesday 31 March

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GNOME

Belgian stoner rock/metal band Gnome combine irresistible hooks and thundering guitars, drums & bass to excellent effect. 

Led by Rutger Verbist, they released debut and experimental album Father Of Time in 2018. They followed up four years later with King - a collection of songs built around the concept of a fictional war between King Wenceslas and gnomes. Third album Vestiges Of Verumex Visidrome was released in 2024...
If you’ve never been to a Gnome live show before, be sure to hold onto your hats, because the boys certainly will be - the red pointy ones evident in the below image. 

“It’s our signature look,” explains Rutger, “but it doesn’t mean that we’ll be putting on a clown show!” 
As for their music, expect a meander through groovy headbangers, adventurous tunes, and what Rutger likes to refer to as “100% gnome-hatted badassery”.   

KK’s Steel Mill, Wolverhampton, Wednesday 1 April

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BROOKE COMBE

Rising star Brooke Combe visits the region this month off the back of a US tour supporting Benson Boone and a debut appearance on A Night With Jools Holland.

Brilliantly bringing a new edge to Northern Soul, the Scottish singer-songwriter is touring the UK having last year released debut album Dancing On The Edge Of The World to considerable acclaim. 

O2 Academy, Birmingham, Friday 3 April

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MILES HUNT

Local lad Miles Hunt is best known, of course, as the frontman, lead vocalist and primary songwriter of The Wonder Stuff, the Stourbridge band with whom he burst onto the rock scene way back in 1987. 

This month’s solo visit to Wolverhampton sees him playing songs and telling tales from his 40 years in the music industry... 

Due to popular demand, Miles will be performing at the Arts Centre twice on Saturday the 28th, at 2pm and 7.30pm.

Foxlowe Arts Centre, Leek, Staffs, Friday 3 April; Huntingdon Hall, Worcester, Saturday 4 April

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RICHARD ASHCROFT

Acoustic ballads, indie-rock anthems, soulful beats and celebrity admirers abound in the world of Richard Ashcroft, former frontman and sole songwriter for alternative rock band The Verve.

Ashcroft went solo a quarter of a century ago. Since then, he’s established himself as a major player on the UK music scene, with Coldplay’s Chris Martin hailing him “the best singer in the world”. 

His Birmingham appearance - following on from supporting his pals Noel and Liam Gallagher on their Oasis tour - comes just a handful of months after the release of his seventh studio album, Lovin’ You. 

Utilita Arena Birmingham, Saturday 4 April

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BARE JAMS

An evening of catchy hooks, motivational lyrics and singable horn lines awaits Midlands-based fans of Bare Jams early this month. The dynamic collective blend feelgood pop with elements of soul, funk, jazz and rock to create a soundscape that’s both diverse and familiar. 

The Marrs Bar, Worcester, Sunday 5 April

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THE UNDERCOVER HIPPY

Billy Rowan (aka The Undercover Hippy) brings together acoustic guitar, soulful vocals, infectious reggae rhythms and the lyrical delivery of a talented MC. 

Billy and his bandmates are visiting Stourbridge with their Real Life Tour. The boys are urging their fans to sack off their digital identities, if just for one night, ‘and come and get sweaty with one of the most delicious crowds you will ever encounter’. 

Support on the night comes from Midlands-born singer-songwriter Nuala.

Katie Fitzgeralds, Stourbridge, Sunday 5 April

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IDLEWILD

Scottish rock band Idlewild came to prominence with a sound that very much obeyed the conventions of 1990s British indie-punk guitar music, but which was nevertheless difficult to pigeonhole. 

Later albums introduced elements of both art rock and folk rock to their classic sound, always underpinned by lead singer Roddy Woomble’s poetic lyrics and consummate gift for melody.

O2 Institute, Birmingham, Friday 10 April

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CAT BURNS

Streatham-born one-time Southbank busker Cat Burns has certainly come a long way in a comparatively short space of time. 

Her days spent busking took place pre-Covid, and having then made a lockdown splash on Tik Tok, she was ready to conquer the world by the time the UK reopened after the pandemic. Success came quickly; 2022 saw her song Go - a blend of gospel and pop influences with guitar-led indie music - reach number two in the UK singles chart... Debut album Early Twenties followed two years later. 

Cat recently came to the attention of a wider audience when she took part in the first-ever series of BBC's The Celebrity Traitors. 

She made it to the final alongside fellow traitor and ultimate winner Alan Carr.

O2 Academy, Birmingham, Friday 10 April

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TORI AMOS

Tori’s Symphony Hall concert comes in support of her 18th studio album, In Times Of Dragons, due for release on May the 1st. 

“[The new album] is a metaphorical story about the fight for democracy over tyranny,” says the award-winning singer-songwriter, in expressing her opinions about the current state of politics and society in the US. “[It reflects] the current abhorrent non-accidental burning down of democracy.”

Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Friday 10 April

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THE CLAUSE

Birmingham four-piece The Clause have been jamming together since they were kids. 
They describe their sound as a combination of 1960s swagger, the rolling groove of the 1980s and the riotous verve and attitude of the 1990s. Huge hooks with gritty verses, indie sensibilities and rhythm’n’blues groove and melodies are very much the name of their game, all wrapped up with an impressive energy and a clearly evident enthusiasm for the business of performing live. 

They’re appearing in Coventry in support of their debut album, Victim Of A Casual Thing, released to critical acclaim last autumn. 

hmv Empire, Coventry, Friday 10 April

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HUEY MORGAN

Huey Morgan came to prominence as the frontman of eclectic American rap/rock outfit Fun Lovin’ Criminals, with whom he toured and recorded for almost 30 years.

He also hosted The Huey Show on BBC Radio 6 Music from 2008 until last year, leaving the station in December and joining Virgin Radio.

This Shropshire appearance sees him presenting a show mixing music and chat.

The Edge Arts Centre, Much Wenlock, South Shropshire, Saturday 11 April

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BLUE

One-time superstar boyband Blue - featuring Simon Webbe, Duncan James, Antony Costa and Lee Ryan - burst onto the scene a quarter of a century ago with three chart-topping albums. A six-year hiatus followed, but they’ve been back together and creating a stir since 2011... This Potteries stop-off comes as part of a double-purpose tour, not only celebrating 25 glorious years but also promoting their recently released all-new studio album, Reflections.   

Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Monday 13 April

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KRIS DREVER + ANNIE DRESSNER

Hailing from a musical background - his dad was a member of Scottish folk rock band Wolfstone - Kris Drever came to prominence in the mid-noughties, first of all forming award-winning folk trio Lau - who’re still going strong, of course - and then releasing debut solo album Black Water. In the years which have followed, he has established himself as one of Scotland’s finest and most in-demand contemporary-folk musicians. 

Kris is joined for the show by New York City singer-songwriter Annie Dressner.

The Tin At The Coal Vaults, Coventry, Tuesday 21 April

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BASKERY

Comprising three Swedish sisters - Greta, Stella and Sunniva Bondesson - who’ve been creating music since they were old enough to hold instruments, Baskery play a combination of classic roots music and Americana. In the process, the self-titled Queens of Banjopunk generate a sound that oozes style and playfulness. The sisters have released six albums to date, most recently The Young Sessions - Live To Tape in 2024.

Hare & Hounds, Birmingham, Thursday 23 April

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IAN MCNABB

A winning blend of soaring melodies, powerful vocals and poetic lyricism define the music of Ian McNabb. 
After rising to prominence in the 1980s as the frontman and creative force behind The Icicle Works, the charismatic singer-songwriter kicked off the shackles of band membership in the 1990s, launching what has since proved to be a hugely successful - and prolific - solo career.   

Foxlowe Arts Centre, Leek, Friday 24 April

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BADLY DRAWN BOY

Damon Gough’s debut album, The Hour Of Bewilderbeast, announced him as a star in the making, winning him the Mercury Music Prize in the year 2000. Two years later, he penned the score for the Hugh Grant film About A Boy, and then quickly followed up with two further albums: Have You Fed The Fish? and One Plus One Is One.

Touring solo for much of the time since those heady early-career days, he’s recorded only one album in the last 14 years but retains a solid fanbase.

Damon’s late-afternoon Shrewsbury show combines songs, stories and conversation. The event is hosted by BBC 6 Music’s Chris Hawkins and is fully seated.

The Buttermarket, Shrewsbury, Sunday 26 April

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BOOSHLE G

Keeping his songs simple, honest, and straight from the heart, Booshle G hails from South Africa and admits that finding his place in the sun has been no walk in the park...

“For years, I didn’t understand what people saw in me,” he explained to Indie Music Center. “My dad used to tell me not to compare myself to anyone... and that maybe I should just give myself a chance. I didn’t listen... But at some point, something shifted. Not a big moment with fireworks... Just a quiet voice inside that said, ‘Stop waiting. Do it your way. Do it now.’”

The Sunflower Lounge, Birmingham, Thursday 30 April

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MAMMAL HANDS

With former GoGo Penguin drummer Rob Turner now on board, Mammal Hands bring their winning blend of jazz, contemporary classical, electronica, folk and minimalism to Coventry in support of sixth studio album Circadia - a record which they’re describing as a meditation on renewal and the beauty of change. 
The new release is the latest development in a career which has routinely gone from strength to strength, the driving beats and hypnotic textures of their sound helping them carve out an enviable reputation as boundary-defying artists. 

Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Thursday 30 April

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CHANTEL MCGREGOR

Blues-rock musician Chantel McGregor was once told by a major label that she had “a great voice, but girls don’t play guitar like that!” Ignoring their view, she enrolled at the Leeds College of Music and became the first student in the college’s history to achieve a 100% pass mark at BTEC, with 18 distinctions.
She’s since released three studio albums of new material, including debut offering Like No Other and last year’s The Healing.

Temperance, Leamington Spa, Sunday 6 December