Finally, it seems, Jack White is happy to be himself. After years of side projects and collaborations, the former White Stripes guitarist and vocalist is striking out on his own with his debut solo album Blunderbuss set for release on 23rd April.

But it's been a long time coming. First, with drummer Meg, there were The White Stripes, whose Michigan-accented take on the classic seventies rock sound made an instant impact, winning over the indie kids and rockers at a stroke. The mainstream breakthrough came with their third studio record, 2003's Elephant. It was a No 1 album here (Top Ten in the US) and spawned the band's most memorable single, Seven Nation Army. But with Jack and Meg divorced three years earlier, White was already exploring new horizons. Since then there's been The Raconteurs and The Dead Weather - both separate projects but each undeniably Jack.

In search, one hopes, of some subtlety, Jack White is finally going it alone. The White Stripes officially called it a day around a year ago and the songwriter's new material is gradually finding the light of day.

On Monday 23rd April, the day Blunderbuss is released, he'll be playing a solo show at the HMV Forum in London. We will have tickets available when they go on sale at 9am on Wednesday 18th April, priced £32. They will set out very quickly.