MUSIC GIGS Blondie, Akon, TLC, Squeeze, Steps... it’s time to turn back the musical clock in city
Music just isn’t the same these days. Surely we can’t be the only ones pining for when Simon Mayo was sat in Nick Grimshaw’s seat on BBC 1’s Breakfast show? And when Top of the Pops wasn’t reserved just for Christmas? Many of us can still remember the goo
Texas Where: When: Tickets: Despite success at the end of the ’80s, the band reached new heights in 1997 with the release of their White on Blonde album.
Say What You Want, Halo, and Black Eyed Boy could be heard in every shop, pub, and car right through to the early 2000s.
The Scottish group released their ninth studio album, Jump on Board, earlier this year. Gary Numan Where: When: Tickets: Get your synthesiser digits ready and your eyeliner on – the King of electronic music is here this month.
Although the iconic singer has Texas’ Sharleen Spiteri stated his dislike for singing old material, he will always perform Tubeway Army hits such as Are ‘Friends’ Electric? and Cars for his fans.
The star has continued to mine a rich artistic vein with heavy rock albums such as Pure and Hybrid. Tempted to travel back to the late ’70s?
Supremely talented writing duo Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook are the brains behind the long list of hits for Squeeze.
As well as Tempted, new-wavers may also remember Cool for Cats, Up the Junction, Slap and Tickle, Another Nail in My Heart, Pulling Mussels (from the Shell), and Hourglass.
In 2015 they released Cradle to the Grave, the band’s first original album since 1998. Lulu Where: When: Tickets: Where do we start with the little lady with one the biggest voices in pop?
Her legacy covers decades, from her cover of Shout during the ’60s, her Eurovision Song Contest-winning entry Boom Bang-a-Bang and her top 10 Uk hit Independence in 1993. Akon Where: When: Tickets: Music lovers are about to get a lot less lonely.
He’s best remembered for fuelling the noughties with a selection of ultimate nightclub bangers that are still played at the likes of Glam and Missoula to this day.
Akon’s success includes dominating the charts with tracks such as Lonely, Smack That and Sexy Chick, to collaborating with music legends such as Eminem and David Guetta. Blondie Where: When: Tickets: Photos of iconic front woman Debbie Harry hung from the walls of teenagers throughout the ’70s and ’80s. The band was a pioneer in the early American new wave and punk scenes, releasing hit after hit including Call Me, Rapture and Heart of Glass.
Fast forward to 2017 and, despite having a different line-up, the band are still going strong. They are touring their latest album, Pollinator. TLC Where: When: Tickets: Hands up if you remember ’90s girl band TLC?
Well, the No Scrubs singers are making a comeback – and will perform in Cardiff this winter.
The chart-topping group released a massive selection of RnB anthems during the nineties including Unpretty, No Scrubs and Creep.
Original members Tionne ‘T-Boz’ Watkins and Rozonda ‘Chilli’ Thomas’ are expected to perform all of their iconic hits as well as new tracks from their latest studio album, conveniently named TLC. Nelly Where: When: Tickets: There’ll be no Dilemma for Cardiff’s rap and RnB fans this autumn as Nelly rides into the capital for a gig at Cardiff University’s Student Union.
Most famous for his hits in the early 2000s – including Hot in Herre, Ride Wit Me and Dilemma with Kelly Rowland – Grammy-winning Nelly has also found fame on reality show Nellyville and Real Housewives of Hollywood since topping the charts. The Kooks Where: When: Tickets: The OC, baker boy caps and stripey highlights came part and parcel of the noughties. As did The Kooks.
Twentysomethings should be able to remember too-cool-for-school tunes such as Naive, Ooh La and She Moves in her Own Way.
This year marks their 10th anniversary, so expect the set list to be a best of in Cardiff. Bananarama Where: When: Tickets: Not only do this ’80s girl group have