POP / Gig guide

STING

Brace yourself for the Ten Summoner's Tales - all 11 in fact - plus some old Police hits. Never mind the fact that he's just sold another 5 million albums, he's enjoying critical rehabilitation. It won't last, of course.

Tonight, Fri London Royal Albert Hall

UB40

Pleasant pop reggae, pleasantly predictable.

Fri Edinburgh Ingliston; Sat, Sun Whitley Bay Ice Rink; Wed Sheffield Arena

KRISTIN HERSH

The singer/ songwriter from college rockers Throwing Muses has gone all unplugged. Here she previews her new CD Hips and Makers (4AD), and plays tracks from her EP Your Ghost, including a cover of Led Zep's 'When The Levee Breaks'. Her pal on Your Ghost, Michael Stipe, won't, unfortunately, be helping her out for this one.

Tonight London Bloomsbury Theatre

INTERNATIONAL DANCE AID AWARDS

Dance beano for those who feel left out of the reggae awards and the Suede awards, now jointly administered by the Disco Mix Club, the Dance Aid Trust (a protean charity) and the London van driver's radio station of choice, Kiss FM. Acts performing at least one track on the night: CeCe Peniston, Gabrielle, Apache Indian, Aftershock, General Levy, The Shamen, The Prodigy, Juliet Roberts, D:Ream, Dina Carroll, M People, Jam & Spoon and POV. There will also be an all-star choir, and the evening will be presented by Juliet Roberts (singer) and Damon Rochefort (comedian). Should be popular with urban 14 to 20-year-olds. pounds 15.

Wed London Hammersmith Apollo

NME 'ON' NIGHTS

Two nights of new music presented by the New Musical Express. (Watch out for the results of their Brat awards on 24 Jan.) Sat Elastica, Echobelly, Compulsion and S*M*A*S*H. Sun Trans-Global Underground, Tiny Monroe, Shed 7 and Honky. London Astoria 2

SLEEPER

No ambitious indie fourpiece is complete without a woman upfront. Theirs is called Louise Werner.

Sat Sheffield Leadmill

PAUL RODGERS

The founder member of Free and Bad Company is back after crashing the bus. Plenty from his Muddy Water Blues CD, but he also promises to stick to the 'crowd-pleasing format', the one that goes 'All Right Now', 'Feel Like Making Love' and 'Bad Company.'

Fri Newport Centre; Sat Wolverhampton Civic Hall; Mon, Tue London Forum; Wed Cambridge Corn Exchange

YEAH

Charity gig from an up-and-coming act. Big in Germany.

Sun London Powerhaus

TIM HINKLEY'S HI-FLY

Keyboad player with an all-star session band, including the blues slide guitar player from Whitesnake, Mickey Moody. Support from well-bred Simon Bass.

Sun London Ronnie Scott's

COUNTRY, FOLK & WORLD MUSIC

MARY COUGHLAN

Issue-based Irish singer - abortion, marriage, heart strings - who also does a good Elvis Costello cover.

Tonight London Clapham Grand

SARAH-JANE MORRIS

Ballads and jazz-tinged tunes.

Wed London Jazz Cafe

PADDY GOES TO HOLLYHEAD

Light-side Irish folk, lunchtime. Free.

Sun 16 and 23 Jan London Shepherd's Bush Bottom Line

(Photograph omitted)