Indie-pop statesmen Elbow continued their unabated winning streak in 2017 with ‘Little Fictions’, another slice of understated, melancholy storm and stress that saw them nestling nicely into their status as national treasures. Across their seven albums to date, Elbow have become masters of slow-building, yarn-spinning, enveloping music; story-driven songs that, at their best, repay the listener’s patience with transcendent surprises. Hardcore fans of the band swear by the first three albums; others came along for the ride after award-winner ‘The Seldom Seen Kid’ – but the accumulative wave of affection for the benevolent Mancunians has put them on a pedestal that none can topple. After two back-to-back, sold out shows at Birmingham’s O2 Academy, there’s only one place for Elbow to go – and that’s the vastness of Genting Arena.

Sat 3 Mar 7.30pm at The Genting Arena, Perimeter Rd, Marston Green, Birmingham B40 1NT, £37 – £52 theticketfactory.com