This month Nickelback, Depeche Mode and Glen Tilbrook bring their musical talents to venues near you. Janine Poole picks May’s best gigs and concerts.
Fullerstock: May 15
Paper Smile will be playing covers of songs by The Beatles, The Who, Oasis and The Jam plus many more. Support comes from Rawfox, with a sound inspired by Led Zeppelin, The Who and The Jam plus The Escalators who play a mix of ska tunes. 8pm to 2am. £5/£6. Dirty South, 162 Lee High Road, Lewisham. 020 8852 1267.
The Big Chris Barber Band: May 15
Jazz legend and trombonist Chris Barber is bringing his Big Band to the St George’s Arts Festival this month. The 11-piece band will play a wide selection of music ranging from his New Orleans style to the music of Duke Ellington, Sidney Bechet and Bob Crosby plus blues by Sonny Terry, Brownie McGhee and Miles Davis. 8pm. £20. St Georges Parish Church, High Street, Beckenham. 020 8663 6996.
Tomorrow’s Warrior’s Jazz Orchestra: May 16
The 16-piece Tomorrow’s Warrior’s Jazz Orchestra present a night of classic jazz and big band songs by Duke Ellington, widely regarded as one of the most important composers in the history of jazz. The evening will feature The Queen’s Suite, one of Duke Ellington’s best-known pieces. 8pm. £16/£14. Recital Room, Blackheath Halls, 23 Lee Road, Blackheath. 020 846 30100.
Blue Man Group: May 16 to May 17
The blue men are bringing their anarchic, idiosyncratic style of musical entertainment to The O2. The show includes whirlpool drumming, marshmallow throwing and paint spitting. The high-octane production is strong on dynamics, rhythm and audience participation along with lots of pantomime and comedy. 7.30pm. £39.50. The O2, Millennium Way, Greenwich.
Everlasting Classic 60’s Tour 2009: May 17
Join Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich at The Orchard as they celebrate the best music from the 1960s. The band will be playing a selection of their greatest hits including Hold On Tight and The Legend Of Xanadu. They will be joined by Scottish rockers Marmalade and The Animals, best known for House Of The Rising Sun. 8pm. £21.50/£23.50. The Orchard, Home Gardens, Dartford. 01322 220000.
Shane Hampsheir: May 17
Shane debuts his new show The Musicals Live at The Bob Hope Theatre this month. The show features Shane himself alongside five other professional singers and four dancers choreographed by Stephanie Croxson (BBC’s Strictly Dance Fever). With music from West End shows including Les Miserables, Hairspray, Chicago and Wicked, musical fans will love this show. 7.30pm. £14/£12. The Bob Hope Theatre, Wythfield Road, Eltham. 020 8850 3702.
Beats In The Bar: May 19
Join students from the Trinity College of Music for another night of improvised and planned jazz performances. Well-known artists will play alongside up and coming musicians. 7.30pm. = Free. Recital Room, Blackheath Halls, 23 Lee Road, Blackheath. 020 8463 0100.
Glen Tilbrook: May 24
Glen Tilbrook, founding member of Squeeze and half of its song-writing team, is returning to the Mick Jagger Centre for the final night of his current UK tour. He will be playing songs including Cool for Cats, Up the Junction and Goodbye Girl from his Squeeze days plus songs from new album Pandemonium Ensues. 8pm. £18/£16. Mick Jagger Centre, Shepherds Lane, Dartford. 01322 291100.
Blackheath Folk Club: May 26 to May 27
Enjoy an evening of folk and acoustic music on a Tuesday at Blackheath’s new folk club held in a traditional pub with a variety of real ales and lagers. They welcome all levels of ability and styles ranging from beginners to professional musicians. 8pm. Free. The British Oak, Old Dover Road, Blackheath. 020 8317 8831.
Acoustic Archery: May 28
American guitar maestro Andy McKee headlines Acoustic Archery with support from top British guitarists Johnny Dickinson and Tony McManus. Hailed as one of the finest acoustic soloists, McKee regularly performs to sell out audiences across the world and is renowned not just for his technical ability but also for his innovative approach to the guitar. 7.30pm. £14. Hazlitt Theatre, Earl Street, Maidstone. 01622 758611.
Ray Gelato With The Richard Busiakiewicz Trio: May 28
Join the singer and tenor saxophonist Ray Gelato for a night of swing-based jazz tunes. 8.30pm. £10/£8.The Jazz Den, Langley Park Sports & Social Club, 2 Hawksbrook Lane, Beckenham. 01245 420475.
Nickelback: May 28
The Canadian pop foursome are back in London for one night only to tie in with their new album, Dark Horse. Support comes from classic rockers Black Stone Cherry. 6.30pm. £37.50. The O2, Millennium Way, Greenwich. theo2.co.uk
Avenge Thee: May 30
Heavy metallers Avenge Thee headline this gig at the Red Lion. Support soon to be confirmed. 9pm. Red Lion Pub, Crete Hall Road, Gravesend. 01474 566127.
Depeche Mode: May 30
This is the London stop of Depeche Mode’s Tour Of The Universe. On the back of the success of their latest album, Sounds Of The Universe, they sold out this gig in under an hour. If you missed out on tickets then don’t despair, 2 extra dates in December have been announced and are now on sale. 6:30pm. £35-£45. The O2, Millennium Way, Greenwich. For tickets visit www.theo2.co.uk
Sidcup/Bexley Guitar Society: May 31
Matthew Sear will be giving a Classical Guitar Recital at the Bexley-Sidcup Conservative Club. The first half of the night will be open mic. 7:30pm. £4. Bexley-Sidcup Conservative Club, 19 Station Road, Sidcup. For more info call 01322 310458
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