close

The Week Ahead from Monday 12th March 2012: JLS, You Me At Six, Paul Weller, Sting, Chris Rea, Noah and the Whale, Spiritualized and more

Posted: 12 years ago

A truly massive week of shows awaits you from Monday onwards. Look at these names - JLS, Paul Weller, Sting and You Me at Six. And that's just for starters. Much-touted The Civil Wars are also back on these shows, while rock stalwart Chris Rea is back on the road with his new album. St Patrick's Day is on Saturday, while Glasgow will have the last laughs with its tremendous International Comedy Festival.

All prices are exclusive of booking fees.

This week:

Tours

Still Britain's premier boy-band after three years or so, JLS are embarking on an arena tour from Wednesday until the end of April. Most shows in March are sold out, but you can still buy standard tickets for Manchester, Belfast and Newcastle, although choices will be limited - £25 upwards.

Josh and co will be touring the UK with Kids in Glass Houses, Mayday Parade and The Skints, which might explain why the tickets have almost sold out. However, we've face-value standards for Dublin (next Thursday), Cardiff, Glasgow, Manchester (29th) and Brixton (2nd April), priced around £19.

New album 'Sonic Kicks' is out in a couple of weeks, just after you can witness Weller live at London's Roundhouse for five nights. The first show on Sunday 18th sold out very quickly, but there are still standards to be had at the remaining four nights for £38.50.

Gordon Sumner returns with his Back to Bass shows, kicking off in Manchester on Friday night and followed by sold-out shows in Glasgow and the first Hammersmith event of three on 19th March. The concluding pair of London nights still have standards priced at £51.50-£61.50.

In support of his 'Santo Spirito Project' out this year, affable Rea will be touring the UK and Ireland from Friday onwards, starting in Belfast and continuing to Dublin, Bournemouth, Plymouth and many more until winding up in Hammersmith on 5th April. Oxford has sold out.

Country's Grammy-scooping duo are touring the UK in March, most of which has sold out. There are still limited tickets for Birmingham on Tuesday and the Celtic Connections Big Top 2012 slot on the Isle of Skye on 24th March. Or you could consider the autumn tour - all venues still available at £17.

Gilbert O'Sullivan Gilbert O'Sullivan
Buy Tickets

He's currently all over the TV with adverts aplenty for his 'Greatest Hits' collection, so tickets for this tour which starts on Saturday in Torquay will start to sell out soon. Other stops include Guildford, Dartford, Bristol and Glasgow - the last stop on 15th April. Tickets average around £26 - £27.50.

Pokey Lafarge and the South City Three
Buy Tickets

It's only taken one 'Later with Jools Holland' slot to raise awareness for this retro-soul outfit - tickets for upcoming shows in Newcastle and London (29th March) have all sold out. However, from the first dates in Ireland next week, plus Belfast onwards from Sunday, you can grab tickets from £10.

Stiff Little Fingers Stiff Little Fingers
Buy Tickets

This tour is a double-header with post-punk anthem-rock favourites Spear of Destiny, translating as a formidable bill for fans of both bands. All dates from Friday's stint in Dundee, to the final pairing of London and Manchester, are available at various prices between £10 (Leeds) and £18.50 (London).

Noah and the Whale Noah and the Whale
Buy Tickets

With a renowned support act (Emmy the Great), next week's tour from the Londoners should be a sell-out in due course. At the moment though, you can still get tickets for shows in Dublin, Edinburgh, Plymouth and Manchester without too much issue - apart from £17.50 admission, that is!

Also taking place from next week are shows for Spiritualized (all available from £17.50), metal-legends UFO (shows until April - from £20), grebo-rockers Pop Will Eat Itself (touring throughout March - all available at £15-£18) and metal-fest Hammerfest 2012 in Prestatyn (still a few cabins left!).

Theatre, Comedy and Arts

Glasgow International Comedy Festival Glasgow International Comedy Festival
Buy Tickets

For two weeks from next Thursday, Glasgow becomes the centre of the laughter universe with shows from the likes of Stewart Francis, Dara Ó Briain, Doug Stanhope and many more. Sarah Millican and Russell Kane have sold out their nights - the rest average at around £15.

St Patrick's Day St Patrick's Day
Buy Tickets

No longer exclusive to the Emerald Isle are the numerous celebrations due to take place next Saturday. London will be offering shows from the Stars from the Commitments and Damien Dempsey, while other St Patrick's events will take place across the UK.

Prior to Tom Chambers and company performing the Irving Berlin classic in the West End from April, Woking will be hosting a week-long residency at the New Victoria Theatre. Tickets for the shows from Tuesday onwards weigh in at £46-£56. West End bookings also available.

Happy clicking!

Paul Pledger