1Why:
Marina & The Diamonds
Friday 20 Corn Exchange, Cambridge to Wednesday 25 O2 ABC, Glasgow
Who: Welsh-Greek singer-songwriter who has supported Katy Perry on tour.
Why: Third record ‘Froot’ celebrates being happy as well as addressing political issues, so expect these shows to be both uplifting and thought-provoking. Plus Marina’s reliably fabulous…
2Why:
Krept & Konan
Friday 20 O2 Institute 2, Birmingham to Thursday 26 O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire, London
Who: London hip-hop duo Casyo ‘Krept’ Johnson and Karl ‘Konan’ Wilson, who won Best Hip-Hop Act at the 2015 MOBO awards.
Why: These are their biggest shows to date and this is probably your last chance to get close enough to see the whites of their Reeboks.
3Why:
The Courteeners
Monday 23 O2 Academy, Leeds, Thursday 26 Victoria Hall, Stoke-on-Trent
Who: Titans of the North fronted by quote machine Liam Fray, who’ve come a long way since debut album ‘St Jude’.
Why: Earlier this year, the quartet conquered Manchester’s Heaton Park. These dates are considerably smaller so expect the buildings themselves to bounce.
4Marilyn Manson
5Why:
Disclosure
Thursday 26 SSE Hydro, Glasgow
Who: Redhill brothers who helped launch the deep house revival.
Why: Surrounded by synths, computers, live percussion and effects boards, Guy and Howard Lawrence might not look like much, but they know how to work a crowd. The hits are amped up to new levels, while a retina-dazzling light show bends sweaty crowds to their will.
6Why:
Nero
Friday 20 O2 Institute, Birmingham, Saturday 21 Albert Hall, Manchester
Who: Electro trio who’ve worked with Skrillex and also contributed a song to the soundtrack of Baz Luhrmann’s The Great Gatsby.
Why: Their stage set-up is nothing short of a wonder, with no expense spared on production.
Who’s supporting: Drum’n’bass DJ and producer Culture Shock.
7Why:
Albert Hammond Jr
Friday 20 O2 Academy 2, Leicester to Thursday 26 The Old Market, Brighton
Who: Guitarist for New York City indie heroes The Strokes and solo star in his own right.
Why: With The Strokes not exactly gigging their asses off, Albert’s keeping the garage-rock flame alight.
Who’s supporting: Woozy psych twins Tempesst.
8Why:
The Prodigy
Sunday 22 AECC, Aberdeen to Thursday 26 Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle
Who: Essex rave veterans and twisted firestarters Liam Howlett, Keith Flint and Maxim.
Why: Their gigs are like flashbacks to early ’90s raves and their imposing back catalogue guarantees a night of monstrously big beats.
Who’s supporting: Hip-hop heavyweights Public Enemy.
9Why:
Courtney Barnett
Wednesday 25 & Thursday 26 O2 Forum, London
Who: Witty Aussie singer-songwriter who won hearts with ‘Avant Gardener’, her dry retelling of a panic attack.
Why: Live, her generally louche songs gather rage and fury until she sounds like a cuddly dervish.
Who’s supporting: Melbourne alt-pop duo Big Scary.