As apt as "Who Needs Actions When You Got Words" is as a title for a Plan B album, it was his singing voice that elevated him to recognizable status, not his early foray into grime and rap. In fact, the East Londoner, real-name: Ben Drew, has been around for a few years now, with his first single "Sick 2 Def" appearing as far back as 2005. It wasn't a hit and nor was the follow-up effort "Mama (Loves a Crackhead)", which stalled at #41. But the resultant and aforementioned debut-album issued in 2006 earned him a few plaudits, not least from NME, Q and The Guardian, three reasonably influential critical bodies, I'm sure you'll agree.

But influential critical bodies don't come much bigger than the Great British Public and they've been giving Plan B the benefit of the doubt since the release of his conceptual soul album, "The Defamation of Strickland Banks", issued in 2010. As if there could be any doubt, of course - it's given him several hits and plenty of sold-out shows during the past couple of years, as well as coveted accreditation from the Brits, Ivor Novello and MOBO Awards.

Next year, as well as appearing in films "The Sweeney" and his own "Ill Manors" (both in production), Plan B will be performing several shows at beautiful outdoor locations as part of the ongoing Forestry Commission Live Music 2012 series. All shows take place in June or July and take in Thetford Forest (15th June), Sherwood Forest Pines (16th) and many more until Delamere Forest in Cheshire on 7th July.

We will have tickets for all shows from Friday at 9am, priced at £32. Guests will be announced in due course and demand for these concerts will be huge. Trust us.