Sold out: Sundara Karma | Tue 8 Mar, The Rainbow, Birmingham
An exotic name from more familiar origins, here Reading stands in for New Jersey rearing the same Springsteen-esque desire to run from suburbia. Heart on the sleeve choruses and poetic lyricism from the oft leather jacketed foursome, a chance to catch them in more intimate confines before the stadiums do. See our full preview here.
www.songkick.com

Fickle Friends | Wed 9th Mar | Rainbow Courtyard
Nearing a million hits on Soundcloud, ’SWIM’ is the standout from Fickle Friends, the Brighton quintet hyped on such a wide spectrum it covers Zane Lowe to Jamie Oliver. This probable set closer showcases all the innate pop sensibilities and dance inducing qualities this band has in buckets; their music will make you wanna hang out with them after the gig.
www.seetickets.com

Sold Out: Låpsley | Wed 9th March | Birmingham 02 Institute
Featuring on the Sound of 2015 list, Låpsley feels like she is about as ‘now’ as now can get. Soulful vocals that tread the line between soft vulnerability and fierce independence and minimal keys-led electronica that points towards James Blake and FKA Twigs. All the production tricks mustered are at her disposal, voices and instruments are disguised and unrecognizable. A deep mournful male voice joins her, but it is all from her – through pitch shifting and playing – exposing the mind of this creative and current artist.
www.skiddle.com

This Is Tmrw present Gwenno | Fri 11th March | Hare and Hounds, Kings Heath, Birmingham
Not ventured into Welsh language Krautrock yet? Consider this the 101 intro class. Icy electronica of 80’s Europe full of textures and insistent pulses, underpinning a voice that commands attention with its melodic and sometimes mystical language. Fulfilling all our post-‘Deutschland83’ synth pop needs. How different things could have been if her polka-dotted Phil Spector quoting pop act had taken off in the Noughties…
hareandhoundskingsheath

Josef Salvat | Fri 11 Mar | Birmingham O2 Academy
Aussie singer songwriter Salvat’s work has been compared to Gotye, Morrissey and Lana Del Ray with the ballad-penning potential of Peter Gabriel and Sting. His debut single This Life stormed the internet hard and his gigs will no doubt follow suit, so book fast.
www.ticketmaster.co.uk