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 CHRISTIANS

Soul, gospel & acoustic pop veterans The Christians formed in Liverpool way back in the mid-1980s, with the band’s original line-up consisting of brothers Garry, Russell and Roger Christian (the latter sadly passed away in 1998) and songwriter & multi-instrumentalist Henry Priestman. 

A self-titled debut album, released in 1987 and spawning hit singles Forgotten Town, Ideal World and Hooverville, propelled them to stardom, with two further records being released before the group took a step back from the limelight. 

Re-forming in the new millennium with a revamped line-up, they appear at The Buttermarket mid-month on the back of a sell-out show at the venue last year.

The Buttermarket, Shrewsbury, Friday 17 July

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JOOLS HOLLAND & HIS RHYTHM & BLUES ORCHESTRA

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. His own 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.

Jools and the gang are joined for this Wolverhampton concert by Roachford and guest vocalists Ruby Turner, Louise Marshall and Sumudu Jayatilaka.

Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Sunday 19 July

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THE FLAMING LIPS

Drawing heavily on the 1960s/70s psychedelic tradition, Oklahoma rock band The Flaming Lips formed 43 years ago and, according to Q Magazine, are one of the ‘50 bands to see before you die’. 

Best known for tracks including The Yeah Yeah Yeah Song, Do You Realize?? and Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots Part 1, the three-time Grammy Award winners visit Wolverhampton this month as part of a UK and European tour.

The Civic at The Halls Wolverhampton, Tuesday 21 July

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IAGO BANET

Fingerstyle. Gypsy Jazz. Blues. Rock. Tex-Mex. Country. Dixieland Swing. Pop. Folk. You name it, Iago Banet plays it. 

Widely admired for such versatility, the Galicia-born guitar master moved to London over a decade ago, played in various bands and eventually branched out on his own.

Taking his inspiration from legends like Merle Travis, Chet Atkins and Tommy Emmanuel, Iago continues to redefine the boundaries of the acoustic guitar.  

Lichfield Garrick, Tuesday 21 July

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THE STREETS

Greatly admired for his stand-out lyrics and clever blending of musical styles, Midlands-raised singer-songwriter Mike Skinner - the man behind The Streets - has experienced his fair share of mental turmoil down the years. Not that being in the comfort zone of contentment suits Mike all that much either - at least artistically speaking... 

“There have been times when I’ve struggled to have something to say in my songs,” he admits. “That’s what can happen when you gradually make your life easier and easier.”

O2 Academy, Birmingham, Friday 17 July; Ludlow Castle, Shropshire, Thursday 23 July

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BEAUX GRIS GRIS & THE APOCALYPSE

California-based roots rock band Beaux Gris Gris & The Apocalypse sees Louisiana born & raised musician Greta Valenti teaming up with UK British Blues Hall of Fame inductee Robin Davey to present a blend of blues, rock Americana, country and soul.

Joined by a line-up of musicians that changes across tours, the duo are visiting Leamington as part of a UK and Europe summer tour. 

For the record, Beaux Gris Gris is pronounced Bo Gree Gree.

Temperance, Leamington Spa, Thursday 23 July

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WARWICK FOLK FESTIVAL

Now in its 45th year, Warwick Folk Festival boasts the very best in contemporary and traditional folk arts from the UK and beyond. As well as an extensive line-up of performers, the four-day camping event features workshops, dance performances, children’s entertainment and a festival village.

2026 line-up includes: Eddie Reader, Fisherman's Friends, Spiers & Boden, Natalie MacMaster & Donnell Leahy, Flit, Trip, Naragonia Quartet, The Wilderness Yet, Rory McLeod, The Rheingans Sisters, Sam Carter Sings Nic Jones and more.

Castle Park, Warwick, Thursday 23 - Sunday 26 July

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THE SELECTER

Coventry-based 2 Tone ska revival band The Selecter formed back in 1979. Fronted by the iconic Pauline Black, they’re best known for their political and controversial lyrics.

“It’s a way of being,” explains Pauline, “a way of life and a way of identifying yourself. 2 Tone unified all those different groups, and we can still do that. We can go anywhere, and that’s the beauty of 2 Tone. It’s the hybrid nature of it that makes everything possible.”

Stourbridge Town Hall, Saturday 25 July

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CAYLEE HAMMACK

“As a little girl who always just wanted a man to bring her flowers, I decided I’d be better off if I just learned how to grow my own.” 

So says Caylee Hammack in explaining her decision to determinedly take control of her destiny and chart her own course. 

Landing in Nashville aged 19, the now-32-year-old turned heads with a sound that spoke to a unique mix of influences, ranging from David Bowie and Kate Bush to Dolly Parton and Tom Waits. 

Caylee visits Birmingham with two albums so far under her belt, the most recent of which, Bed Of Roses, was released last year.

Hare & Hounds, Birmingham, Tuesday 28 July

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REDSKIES

A real talent for blending post-grunge, stoner rock riffs and alt-rock has seen bright young things Redskies carve out an interesting space for themselves on the UK music scene. 

They’re joined for this Worcester gig by two local bands: Lukash - a pop punk/rock scene-influenced trio who are making a return after 20 years for a one-off show - and PHON - a heavy grunge/sludge trio whose reputation has been greatly enhanced by their on-stage antics and colossal riffs.    

Marrs Bar, Worcester, Thursday 30 July 

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PEATBOG FAERIES

Although mainly influenced by traditional Celtic music, the Peatbog Faeries create a sound that also embodies numerous other styles and influences, including electronica, folk, rock and jazz. Well established on the circuit, having formed some 35 years ago, the ensemble’s music brings together a blend of programmed effects with traditional Celtic arrangements played on bagpipes, fiddles and whistles. 
The Faeries visit the Midlands mid-month as part of a UK-wide tour.

Malvern Cube, Friday 30 October

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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