Why:
Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls
Fri 6 & Sat 7 Guildhall, Southampton, Mon 9 & Tues 10 Princess Pavilion, Falmouth
Who: Punk troubadour on the glory road to Ally Pally
Why: Mr T’s built a devoted army of fans of his folk-punk preachings
Who’s supporting: London’s rum-sharing pirate folk rabble-rousers Skinny Lister
Why:
Joey Bada$$
Thursday 12 O2 Academy, Liverpool
Who: Brooklyn rapper who recently dropped an unexpected collaboration with Oxford indie quartet Glass Animals.
Why: He’s one of rap’s most exciting new stars.
Who’s supporting: Label-mate Mick Jenkins and Florida rapper Denzel Curry.
Why:
Imagine Dragons
Fri 6 Capital FM Arena Nottingham, Tues 10 First Direct Arena Leeds, Wed 11 Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff
Who: Arena rock quartet from Las Vegas.
Why: Expect them to utilise every whistle, bang, firework and flamethrower possible.
Who’s supporting: UK/Aussie quartet Sunset Sons, with their beach-ready indie rock.
Why:
The 1975
Mon 9 Guild of Students, Liverpool, Tues 10 De Montfort Hall, Leicester, Wed 11 O2 Academy, Sheffield, Thurs 12 Dome, Doncaster
Who: Leftfield pop types, who recently re-emerged with a flamboyant new look.
Why: Lavish pop brilliance.
Who’s supporting: Heir to Jamie T’s throne, Rat Boy.
Why:
Jess Glynne
Fri 6 O2 Academy, Glasgow, Tues 10 O2 Academy, Newcastle, Wed 11 Academy, Manchester
Who: The UK’s newest pop megastar
Why: As well as playing hits from her own debut ‘I Cry When I Laugh’, Jess could well bring out Clean Bandit or Tinie Tempah.
Who’s supporting: Australian singer-songwriter Conrad Sewell.
Why:
Annie Mac Presents…
Fri 6 O2 Academy, Bournemouth, Sat 7 Motion, Bristol
Who: BBC Radio 1 stalwart, now in charge of the prestigious weekday evening slot.
Why: As well as an inevitably vibey DJ set from Mac, you’ll also get live sets from Stormzy and others.
Who’s supporting: The aforementioned London grime star, plus Bristol DJ Redlight and more.
Why:
Happy Mondays
Fri 6 O2 Academy, Birmingham, Sat 7 Butlins, Minehead. Thurs 12 O2 Academy, Sheffield
Who: Lynchpins of the legendary Haçienda scene.
Why: Celebrating the 25th anniversary of seminal LP ‘Pills ’n’ Thrills And Bellyaches’, these gigs will be all about the hits.
Who’s supporting: Manchester quintet Alias Kid
Why:
Sheer Mag
Sat 7 Static Shock Festival, London to Thurs 12 Temple Of Boom, Leeds
Who: Philadelphian five-piece who mix punk with ’70s classic rock.
Why: They were the buzz band at this year’s SXSW festival.
Who’s supporting: The punky Megaflora.
Why:
Vant
Sat 7 Swn Festival, Cardiff, Tues 10 Townhouse, Middlesbrough, Thurs 12 The Horn, St Albans
Who: Hard-rocking, buzzy new quartet that riff like The Vines and swagger like The Strokes.
Why: Mattie Vant’s a natural with a natty hook.
Who’s supporting: Dead Rivers, Du Blonde and Hooton Tennis Club.
Why:
Skrillex
Friday 6, The Warehouse Project, Manchester
Who: Polarising EDM pioneer who’s essentially trademarked the ‘half shave’ hairstyle.
Why: Skrillex x The Warehouse Project will bang more than Russell Brand as Bond.
Who’s supporting: House and dance DJs including Tchami, What So Not and Karma Kid.
