POP / Gigs

SMASHING PUMPKINS

Ski hat music. Single 'Disarm' out this week, album Siamese Dream platinum (1,000,000) in the USA. Not bad for a bunch of wasters from Chicago. Gig of the winter.

Tonight, Fri, Sat London Astoria

BJORK

Rhymes with jerk. Much-loved pixie-diva from Iceland, with interesting clothes and a multi-coloured voice. Recommended.

Tonight London Royalty Theatre; Sat London Brixton Academy

ERIC CLAPTON

Institutionalised blues from the Cream man. Band: Dave Bronze (bass), Richie Hayward (drums), Andy Fairweather Low (guitar), Jerry Portnoy (harmonica), Chris Stainton (keyboards), Katie Kissoon & Maggie Ryder (backing vox), Roddy Lorimer, Tim Sanders & Simon Clarke ('The Kick Horns'). So far so good. 7.30pm start

Tonight, Fri, Sat, Mon (charity perf), Tue, Wed London RAH

THERAPY?

Dark and dangerous hardcore.

Tonight Leicester Uni; Fri Glasgow Barrowlands; Sat Manchester Uni; Sun Leeds T&C; Tue Notingham Rock City; Wed Wolverhampton Civic Hall

PHANTOM BLUE

Five rock chicks from LA, sponsored by Gossard. You know the rest.

Tue London Camden Underworld

PAUL WELLER

1994's most likely to succeed. White soul, a sort of mod Van Morrison.

Sat Dublin Stadium; Sun Cork City; Tue Belfast Ulster Hall

SWV

Last date for the miniature funky divas. Special one-off support from US star Eric Gable.

Tonight London Hammersmith Apollo

D:REAM

Peter Cunnah returns to the hometown - Derry - with his pop beats and some sensitive ballads. Plus Tyrrel Corporation.

Tonight Derry Rialto; Sat Newcastle Uni

M PEOPLE

English dance-pop, plenty of tunes and cute poses.

Tonight London Brixton Academy

PAVEMENT

Straight college rock with some beautiful quieter moments.

Mon London Forum

MISTY OLDLAND

Laid back funky diva. Plus Simon Bass.

Sun London Ronnie Scott's

TORI AMOS

Tinkly piano-babe, covers all bases. Her album Under The Pink (EW) went crashing in to the charts at Number 1, and is still in the Top 10. Tell that to Suede.

Tonight Newcastle Theatre; Fri Warwick Uni; Sun Glasgow Pavillion; Mon Edinburgh Queen's Hall; Mon Manchester Free Trade Hall

COUNTRY, FOLK, JAZZ & WORLD

MUSIC

BHEKI MSELEKU

SA jazz piano hot shot. His time is come.

Sun London RFH

PENGUIN CAFE ORCHESTRA

Easy-listening for the avant garde - smooth piano, gentle wind. Recommended.

Fri Cambridge Corn Exchange; Sat Birmingham Symphony Hall; Sun Manchester Academy; Wed Leeds Irish Centre

ANDY SHEPPARD'S BIG CO-MOTION

From strange honkings to Pernod ad in one evening.

Fri London Barbican Hall

SOLSONICS

The Jazz in the Present Tense drum and bass duo: hip hop meets dad's scratchy jazz records.

Sat London Camden Jazz Cafe

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