music: steve earle

It's been 13 years since a then fresh-faced and slim Steve Earle cut his epic debut album Guitar Town. The years in between have had their ups and downs - the excellent Copperhead Road album alongside a jail term and drug addiction - and it was only last year that he returned to form with El Corazon. He also recently collaborated with Seattle punksters the Supersuckers and his last project was The Mountain, a bluegrass album recorded with the Del McCoury Band, esteemed veterans of that genre. These shows find them playing together with a solo acoustic intermission from Earle during which he'll perform "Guitar Town" and other favourites. Royal Festival Hall, London SE1 (0171-960 4242) Thur; Warwick Arts Centre (01203 424524) Fri

Tim Perry