ROCK / Gig Guide

SIMPLY RED

Designer soul.

Fri, Sat, Sun Birmingham NEC

MORRISSEY

The ex-Smiths droner, not as funny as he used to be.

Fri Bristol Colston Hall; Sat London Alexandra Palace

KEITH RICHARDS

The most dignified Rolling Stone, with a cool band, the X-Pensive Winos.

Tonight, Fri London Town & Country

R KELLY & PUBLIC

ANNOUNCEMENT

Three nights of swing by popular demand. Don-e supports.

Tonight, Fri, Sat London Hammersmith Odeon; Sun Birmingham Hummingbird

MOTORHEAD

Classic speedy rock.

Wed London Hammersmith Odeon

MADNESS

Promising white ska band.

Tonight Brighton Ctr; Fri Cardiff Ice Rink; Sat Manchester GMEX; Mon Edinburgh Exhibition Ctr; Tue Birmingham NEC

JAMES

Last acoustic show.

Tonight Manchester Free Trade Hall

EXTREME

Bostonians playing a smart brand of rock.

Tonight Cardiff Ice Rink; Sat Bournemouth BIC; Mon Birmingham NEC; Tue, Wed London Wembley Arena

THE LEVELLERS

Swinging folk rock, every one a singalong, every fan a borderline crusty student.

Fri, Sat Birmingham NEC Atrium

METROPOLIS

Jazz-soul outfit, supported by Brazil's Mistura and Sunchilde.

Sun Sun Camden West Yard HQ, 5pm- 2am (info: 071-613 3211)

SQUEEZE

Sans Jools, but with Steve Naive.

Sat, Sun, Mon, Tue London Town & Country Club

JOOLS HOLLAND

Boogie-woogie showman, just like on TV.

Mon London Camden Jazz Cafe

CARTER USM

Stand-up rock duo with good tunes and raucous beats.

Tonight Bournemouth BIC; Fri Hereford Leisure Centre; Sat St Austell Coliseum; Wed London Brixton Academy

GARY GLITTER

A Christmas ritual. Tonight London Brixton Academy

THE RAMONES

Similar to the above.

Fri Manchester Academy; Sun Brixton Academy

TERRORDROME

Corpse-blistering fun with the best death / stench-core bill all year: My Dying Bride, Anathema, Decomposed, Incarcerated, Mourn, Cradle Of Filth, Burial, Solstice and Chorus Of Ruin.

Sat London Tufnell Park Dome 2pm-10pm

ANDREA OLIVER

The one that wasn't Neneh Cherry in Rip Rig and Panic, plus Deep, more soulful funk, plus 11.59. Bit of a wicked bill.

Sun London Ronnie Scott's

FOLK, ROOTS & WORLD MUSIC

CHRISTMAS CONCERT

Two excellent all-female vocal groups. First, New Creations, a powerful gospel choir from London, then Birmingham's a cappella Black Voices, who will be doing a mixture of West Indian and African songs plus some carols.

Sun London Kensington Commonwealth Institute (071-603 4345)

INCANTATION

Surprisingly pleasant Bolivian-Irish-African outfit.

Tonight Ipswich Corn Exchange; Fri Northampton Derngate