DEAR SANTA...
What tickets would you like in your Christmas stocking?
THUNDERCAT
Haim’s bass player Este recently tweeted ‘I wish I could steal your hands,’ at LA’s ’cat and having seen him live a couple of times, you’d get that. He’s a wizard on the instrument, and also has a soulful falsetto and a distinctive, tripped-out sound that’s a mix of jazz-funk, future R&B and hip-hop. The result is 100 per cent riveting. May 7, Brixton Academy, London and touring, thundercat.bandcamp.com
GRACE JONES, SOLANGE
An extra bonus here with these two separate shows, at GJ’s postponed Meltdown festival. See this indomitable diva just once and… well, how to describe a walking work of art with a knockout voice, top hula-hooping skills and charisma to burn, who just happens to be 72? Solange (above) is also a must-see, with her innovative, politicised take on R&B-pop edging her into the performance and art spheres. June 11 (Solange) and June 20 (GJ) &, Royal Festival Hall, southbankcentre.co.uk
THE DAMNED
If you’re not nostalgically inclined, you should make an exception for this show. It reunites the original line-up of the band that cemented their place in punk history with the thrillingly raw debut single, New Rose. Unlike some we could mention, they’re now so very much more than their own tribute act. July 9 & 10,
Apollo, London and touring, officialdamned.com
SCRITTI POLITTI
A stunned shriek escaped when we saw this show announced. It’s also a blast from the (1980s) past, but Green Gartside is an active singer/songwriter and musician, not someone who’s been in mothballs for decades. And they’re playing their deliriously lovely, soulpop LP Cupid & Psyche 85 in its entirety for the first time. Hallelujah!
Sep 21, The Waterfront, Norwich and touring, scritti.net
OSEES
It’s not just the two full drum kits that make this Californian psych-garage band such a synapse-melting live proposition, although it definitely helps. Their 2018 show at London’s Troxy is on critics’ lists as one of the best-ever gigs – an exhilarating trip full of dextrous, insanely groovy improv that should slap a mile-wide grin on your face. Bring it! May 8, The Crossing, Birmingham and touring, theeohsees.com
BLACK COUNTRY, NEW ROAD
There’s a huge buzz about this septet (above right) and with good reason. The pandemic crushed any excitement at seeing them live in November but is now simmering nicely for their 2021 tour, when they’ll be previewing their debut LP, For The First Time. Its combination of post punk, jazz, pastoral pop and psych-chamber music, with droll, spoken-word is a winner. Feb 18,
Junction, Cambridge and touring, blackcountry newroad.com
SHARON O’CONNELL