The Week Ahead from Monday 5th Dec 2011: Paul McCartney , New Order, Def Leppard, Lindsey Buckingham, Mötley Crüe , Gary Numan and more
Posted: 12 years agoLeading the pack of big names on tour or playing one-off shows next week is Paul McCartney, with New Order, Def Leppard, Peter Andre and Lindsey Buckingham in tow. Don't forget we can offer you resale tickets from official ticket outlets - you might need them to see the first two acts below.
With Christmas just around a few more corners, thoughts turn to presents and the inevitable hammering that credit cards will get in the coming weeks. Why not take your family to a pantomime? There are traditional and contemporary adaptations of many favourites including Aladdin, Jack and the Beanstalk and Peter Pan - scroll down for more details.
All prices are exclusive of booking fees.
This week:
Tours
The first of three UK shows (called "On The Run") takes place at the O2 Arena on Monday night. Needless to say, face-value tickets sold almost as quickly as you can say "The Beatles". There are some re-sales available at not-too-expensive rates, starting at £70.
Their first London show for 5 years sold out in a matter of minutes. With all eyes on their preceding Brussels and Paris shows, fans soon snapped up this Troxy show on Friday. Surprisingly, there are still quite a few resale tickets available at prices not far in excess of the original face value.
Classic metal is on the up and this triple-bill tour is exactly what fans of '80s metal want. As well as Def Lep, you get Mötley Crüe and near-parody outfit, Steel Panther for your money. The shows begin in Birmingham on Tuesday, followed by Nottingham and more until Wembley on 14th Dec, prices at £45 (£47.50 in London).
Just a handful of shows for Numan fans to look forward to, but demand has been high for them. Wednesday's Leamington Spa gig has already sold out, but there are still a few tickets left for Manchester, Southampton and Hatfield - tickets are £25 (£22 for Soton).
Award-winning R&B star Sean is about to release his fourth solo album, "Freeze Time", in December, tying in nicely with three UK shows, starting with Monday's night in Hammersmith, followed by Glasgow (Weds) and Birmingham (Thurs). £27.50 - £30.
Liverpool's indie-disco fellas are performing a trio of homecoming shows at the city's O2 Academy on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. The latter (supported by the wonderfully-named Yes Lord Sugar) has sold out - the other two are selling fast, priced at £17.50. There are also tour dates in 2012!
Armed with his recently-released "Seeds We Sow" album, the Fleetwood Mac guitarist and vocalist will hit the UK trail from Thursday in Birmingham, followed by Salford, Leeds and more until London's Palladium on 19th December. Tickets cost £45 (except Leeds - £27.50).
Peter Cox and Richard Drummie continue to delight their legion of fans, this time with new material in the shape of their "3D" album. First stop is in Wolverhampton on Wednesday, with more shows during the following week in Glasgow, Liverpool and more until Shepherd's Bush on 22nd December. All available for £20 (£22.50 for London).
Saturday 10th December marks the final chance to see the Australian bicep-monster - until his UK tour at the end of 2012, at any rate. Norwich's Norfolk Showground is the setting for Andre's next show with tickets still available, priced at £30.
Theatre, Comedy and Arts
Equipped with a Night of 200 Billion Stars are messrs Cox, Ince, Goldacre and Singh. With special guest Tim Minchin appearing at all but the Hammersmith show on the 13th, this December tour rounds off a successful scientific year. All shows available except Brighton on 15th Dec.
Yes it's panto season again (oh no it isn't) with two theatres presenting their take on Jack and the Beanstalk from next week. Stockport's Plaza Theatre (starts Friday) and London's Shaw Theatre (starts Wednesday and stars Linda and Maureen Nolan) are the first venues to roll out the panto fun - tickets cost from £17 upwards.
There are many other pantomimes due to start at regional theatres across the UK and Ireland - click the Panto Guide button, below for our guide to all the family fun!
Happy clicking!