POP / Gig Guide

ROCK & POP

SOUNDS OF BLACKNESS

From St Paul, Minnesota, gospel brought into the Nineties without shedding any of its soul. Better live than you could possibly imagine. And only three dates.

Tonight Hamm Apollo; Fri Cambridge Corn Exchange; Sat Southport Soul Weekender

PULP

Danceable and hip pop, with Jarvis Cocker's spot-on lyrics and passionate vocals. Half way from Morrissey to St Etienne.

Sun Glasgow Garage; Mon Newcastle Riverside; Tue Leeds Metro Uni; Wed Manch Uni

COUNTING CROWS

Classy six-piece playing intelligent melodic rock. Free Stipey bit with every song. Support from soul singer Roachford.

Fri London Forum

THE BEAUTIFUL SOUTH

Twinkly tunes and slightly over-cultivated lyrics, but still well executed. Last date. Typical] (see also review opposite).

Fri Bridlington Spa

SIDI BOU SAID

Female indie four-piece, with a decent CD, Brooch, to their name. Worth checking.

Fri London Islington Garage

DEACON BLUE

Neat lyrics, catchy tunes, collected in to a best of situation called Our Town.

Tonight Irvine Magnum Centre; Fri Edinburgh Playhse; Sat Aberdeen Capitol; Mon Newcastle City Hall; Tue Bradford St George's

MORPHINE

Super Yanks. Baritone sax, two-stringed fretless bass, drums. Don't miss them again.

Tue Manchester University; Thurs 28 London Camden Underworld

THE PRETENDERS

Chrissie Hynde (guitar / vocals), Martin Chambers (drums), Adam Seymour (guitars), Andy Hobson (bass). Ask your mother.

Mon Glasgow Garage; Tue Sheffield Leadmill

JAH WOBBLE

See interview opposite

Tue Leeds Irish Centre

HOTHOUSE

Blues band, plus soulful singer / songwriter Luke Meddings. Anti-Nazi League benefit.

Sun London Tufnell Pk Boston Arms / Dome

COUNTRY, FOLK, JAZZ & WORLD MUSIC

OSCAR D'LEON

Big gun of salsa, and his 17-piece orchestra.

Sun London Hammersmith Palais

MACEO PARKER

Jazz met funk in this man. The sax player everyone should see once.

Tonight London Astoria; Fri Manchester Oxford St Jilly's (061-236 0135); Sat Leeds Uni; Sun Bristol New Trinity Community Centre (0272 550659)

TOWNES VAN ZANDT

Hard-edged country singer from Nashville, a touch Leonard Cohen. Ragged looking middle aged troubadour. Great.

Sat London Islington Union Chapel

LOREENA McKENNITT

Canadian folkie. No, wait, she's good . . .

Tue London Criterion Theatre