SATURDAY 1 DECEMBER

Adwaith Tangled Parrot, Carmarthen. 12-3pm, free. Info 01267 231012. Instore gig for neato local band, coinciding with the launch of their album on vinyl.
Atacama Blinkin Owl, Cwmbran. 9pm, free. Info 01633 484749. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Aubrey & Paul The Mariners, Laugharne. 8.30pm, free. Info 01994 427688. In sister venue Browns tomorrow.
Belle Chen The Drill Hall, Chepstow. 7.30pm, £12/£10. Info 01291 627122. Concert pianist with a performance, Global Soundscapes, that apparently evokes various locations across the world both musically and through perfumes which are pumped into the hall at appropriate times. I’m sure you could come up with some hilarious joke suggestions for what these might be.
Bernstein Bash St Edward’s Church, Penylan, Cardiff. 7.30-10pm, £7.50 adv/£6.50 NUS. Info 01994 427688. Weeping Tudor with a concert celebrating 100 years of Leonard Bernstein’s music, as performed here by Nicole Boardman, Phillip May and James Ellis.
Boney M St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £31.50. Info 029 2087 8444. This version of Boney M has one original member, Maizie Williams, and also has beef with another version of Boney M with one original member, Liz Mitchell. The guy who wrote all their music is on #TeamLiz though. Tawdry.
Cardiff University Jazz Ensemble Cardiff University Concert Hall. 7-9pm, £5/free NUS. Info 029 2087 4816. Featuring saxophonist Iain Ballamy.
Chains Of Fleetwood Mac The New Crown Inn, Merthyr Tydfil. 9pm. Info 01685 387925. Tribute band.
Chroma The Andrew Buchan, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info 029 2021 2509. See the Ones To Watch section Upfront for a bit on these lot.
Cor Meibion Llanelli Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli. 7pm, £15. Info 0845 2263510.
Daniel Newberry Café Jazz, Cardiff. £2 after 11pm. Info 029 2038 7026. Swing, Latin and funk.
East 17 Popworld, Swansea. 8pm, £2 adv early bird/£15 with three drinks. Info 01792 472676. Might be a live PA. Maybe they only do live PAs. In Cardiff on Sun 16 either way.
Gwalia Singers All Saints Church, Oystermouth, Swansea. 7pm. Info 01792 203392. One of five concerts in the Swansea area by this choir between today and Thurs 20 Dec.
*Henri Herbert & The Fury The Dolls House, Abertillery. 8pm, £6. Info 01495 213300. Boogie woogie piano wildman who I wrote a preview on when he played here earlier this year. I guess he must have gone down alright as he’s back!
HMS Morris + Ani Glass + Telgate + Scivvy Green The Parrot, Carmarthen. 7pm. Info 01267 231012. A Femme night, hosted by the band Adwaith and also featuring a DJ set from Patricia Morgan (Datblygu).
I Am Drug + Nigel The Moon, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info [email protected].
Isembard’s Wheel + Fountainhead + Thoby Davis NosDa, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info 029 2037 8866. Presented by Pi & Hash.
James Kennedy Cockett Inn, Swansea. 9pm, free. Info 01792 588748. Presented by Nailed It Events.
John Fairhurst + Finn The Lost Arc, Rhayader. 8pm, £6 adv. Info 01743 860246. UK blues-folk guitarist whose photo here shows him wearing an unbuttoned leather waistcoat.
King Kraken + Hot Knife Club + SouthBound The Dragonffli, Pontypool. 7pm, £3. Info [email protected].
Laurie Pyle The Waterfront, Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon. 1-3pm, free. Info 01874 611622.
Legend – The Music Of Bob Marley Grand Theatre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £26. Info 01792 475715. Tribute act.
Maniac Street Preachers + Stereoironics The Globe, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £10 adv. Info 07590 471888. Double bill of Welsh rock tributes touting itself as Manics v Phonics.
Mik Artistik’s Ego Trip + I, Doris Le Public Space, Newport. 7.30pm, £12 adv. Info [email protected]. Some sort of comedy rock band from Yorkshire.
Not The Only Clown In The Village + Red And The Hogweeds Cellar Bar, Cardigan. 7.30pm, £8/£6. Info 07818 056599.
Pearl Jamm Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7pm, £10. Info 029 2023 2199. Tribute band.
R Planet Rockstock Trecco Bay, Porthcawl. £192.50/£170.50 Fri-Sun. Info www.planetrock.com. Annual hard rock holiday camp. Always sells out well in advance, this year being no exception, but here’s the lineup. Today (two days into a four-day festival): Black Star Riders, Brothers Osborne, Gun, Dan Patlansky, Lazuli and Mason Hill. Tomorrow: The Dead Daisies, Operation: Mindcrime, Von Hertzen Brothers, Dan Baird & Homemade Sin and Those Damn Crows. Stage 2 (Fri-Sun, schedule TBC): Austin Gold, Bigfoot, Blind Haze, Gasoline Outlaws, Gin Anie, Iconic Eye, The Kris Barras Band, Last Great Dreamers, Ragged Union, The Rising Souls, The Rocket Dolls, Voodoo Vegas and Western Sand. (Until Sun 2)
Rain Kings The Pheasant, Bridgend. 9pm, free. Info  01656 653614. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Rhondda Symphony Orchestra: The Planets Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 7pm, £5-£12. Info 029 2063 6464.
Seasa Kay The Red Dragon, Bridgend. 8.30pm, free. Info 01656 654753. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Soul Lotta Funk Porter’s, Cardiff. 8pm. Info [email protected].
[spunge] + Who Saves the Hero? + 6foot7 The Bunkhouse, Swansea. 7.30pm, £13 adv. Info [email protected]. Unkillable ska-punks headline.
Supersonic 70s Acapela, Pentyrch, Cardiff. 8pm, £22 adv. Info 029 2089 0862. Decade-specific covers show.
The Dukes Of Bordello + Gasoline Outlaws The Patriot, Crumlin. 8pm, £3. Info 01495 247178.
The New Roses + Departed Fuel Rock Club, Cardiff. 7pm, £10. Info 07970 063107. German hard rockers headline.
The Rocker Covers The Globe At Hay, Hay-On-Wye. 8pm, £8. Info 01497 821762.
The Rubies Hen Dderwen, Swansea. 9pm, free. Info 01792 203631. Presented by Nailed It Events.
The Shakes Birchgrove, Cardiff. 9pm, free. Info 029 2031 1319. Presented by Nailed It Events.
The Stoned Roses Walkabout, Swansea. 8pm, £5 adv. Info 01792 450850. Tribute band.
Too Toned Clwb Y Bont, Pontypridd. 8pm, £5 adv. Info 01443 491424. Ska covers.
White Riot + The Furns + The Stray Pursuit Hangar 18, Swansea. 7.30pm, £2.70 adv. Info enquiries@
hangar18musicvenue.co.uk.
X Twenty-Two + Igam Ogam The Duke, Neath. 7pm. Info 01639 643892.
You Me At Six + Marmozets + The Xcerts Great Hall, Cardiff University Students Union. 7pm, £21 adv. Info 029 2078 1458. UK rockers, played the Motorpoint about 18 months ago which was clearly an overestimation. They’re back doing university gigs, albeit a sold-out one in this case.

 

SUNDAY 2 DECEMBER

Aubrey & Paul Browns, Laugharne. 3pm, free. Info 01994 427688.
Bad Manners Sin City, Swansea. 7pm, £22 adv. Info 01792 468892.
Cardiff University Chamber Orchestra Cardiff University Concert Hall. 3-4.30pm, £5/free NUS. Info 029 2087 4816.
R Christmas Cafe Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff. 1.30pm, free. Info 029 2039 1391. Festive jazz and choral favourites in the foyer. On at 6pm tomorrow and Tue 4. (Until Tue 4)
Christmas with Elvis And Friends Savoy Theatre, Monmouth. 7.30pm, £15 adv. Info 01600 772467. With Keith Davies.
Conflicts + Deference + I Am Gravity + Enmerkar The Bunkhouse, Swansea. 7pm, free. Info info@
bunkhousebar.co.uk.
R Frankie Weeson Hen & Chickens, Abergavenny. 8pm, free. Info 01873 853613. Presented by Nailed It Events. On every Thursday and Sunday in December.
Graham Watkins Quartet feat Clare Hingott Acapela, Pentyrch, Cardiff. 8pm, £12 adv. Info 029 2089 0862. Jazz. Hingott is described here as “the star” of the comedy Stella, by which they mean she had a part in it.
*Hen Ogledd + Accü Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £12/£10 adv. Info 029 2030 4400. Synthpop project featuring Geordie ledge Ricvhard Dawson and Welsh harpist Rhodri Davies. They actually played here under this name a few years ago, but the current version of Hen Ogledd sounds basically completely different. Previewed in the November issue.
Open Mic with Dave Kenwrick The Andrew Buchan, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info 029 2021 2509.
Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama Students National Museum Cardiff. 1pm, free. Info 029 2039 7951.
R Steve Tarner Jazz Hen & Chickens, Abergavenny. 2pm, free. Info 01873 853613. Presented by Nailed It Events Every Sunday this month.
Swansea Philharmonic Choir: Requiem Brangwyn Hall, Swansea. 7.30pm, £10-£20. Info 01792 475715.
The Dole Age + Social Me-Dear + The Rivers + Hannah Jac’s, Aberdare. 5.30pm, £3. Info 01685 879491.
The Great Unknown The Windsor, Penarth. 9pm, free. Info 029 2070 8675. Presented by Nailed It Events.
The Human League + Midge Ure’s Electronica Motorpoint Arena Cardiff. 7.30pm, from £35. Info 029 2022 4488. Two big buggers of 80s synthpop.
R The Red Hot Pokers Earl Haig Memorial Club, Cardiff. 6-8.30pm, free. Info 029 2062 6015. Also here on Sun 20 Jan.
Trystan Llyr Griffiths Pisga Chapel, Llandissilio. 7pm, £10/£8. Info 01834 869323. Welsh tenor’s festove concert, presented by Span Arts.
Zervas & Pepper The Globe, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £14 adv. Info 07590 471888. South Wales soft rockers.

 

MONDAY 3 DECEMBER

R Acoustica54 Warehouse54, Newport. 8pm, free. Info 01633 213161. Every Monday.
Cardiff Arms Park Male Choir Christmas Concert Penarth Pier Pavilion. 7.30-9.30pm, £10 adv. Info 0844 8700887.
R Live Jazz Noah’s Yard, Swansea. 8pm. Info 01792 447360. Here every Monday.
Love Actually Screening with Live Orchestra St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £41.50-£67. Info 029 2087 8444. I know what you’re thinking, this sounds like the lamest way imaginable to spend an evening, but Craig Armstrong who did the score for Love Actually is pretty respected as modern British composers go.
R Ukulele Session The Andrew Buchan, Cardiff. 8.30pm, free. Info 029 2021 2509. Every Monday, with The Plucking Fourstrings.

 

TUESDAY 4 DECEMBER

Acoustic Tuesday South Riverside Community Development Centre, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £5. Info 029 2030 4400. Regular event led by pioneering local musicians and singers.
Apostle + Tales In The Shade + Salmon Jack + Beatbox Hann The Moon, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £4. Info [email protected].
Calan Lyric Theatre, Carmarthen. 7.30pm, £17. Info 0845 2263510. Celtic folk band perform a Christmassy set. In Cardiff on Fri 28.
Cardiff University Contemporary Music Group Cardiff University Concert Hall. 7-9pm, £5/free NUS. Info 029 2087 4816.
R Community Samba Band – Practise Dates Llanfrynach Village Hall, Brecon. 7-9pm, £4/£2 under-16s. Info [email protected]. Every Tuesday.
Def Leppard + Cheap Trick Motorpoint Arena Cardiff. 7pm, from £50. Info 029 2022 4488. Legends of pop-friendly rock showmanship, plus Def Leppard. Standard tickets look to be sold out for this but there might be some at mad VIP prices.
Enter Shikari + Milk Teeth Tramshed, Cardiff. 7pm, £25 adv. Info 029 2023 5555. Think this is an intentionally low-key tour for ES rather than an ‘appeal becoming more selective’ thing, either way it’s sold out.
Hot Strings Cafe Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm. Info 029 2038 7026.
John Wilson & The John Wilson Orchestra St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £24.50-£46. Info 029 2087 8444. Music from the movies, played by Wilson’s 70-piece orchestra and guest soloist Kim Criswell.
R Open Jam Session NosDa, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info 029 2037 8866. Every Tuesday in December and January, apart from Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
R Open Mic The Globe At Hay, Hay-On-Wye. 8pm, free. Info 01497 821762. Every Tuesday.
R Open Mic Night Porter’s, Cardiff. 8pm. Info [email protected]. Every Tuesday.
Raving Hush Flute & Tankard, Cardiff. 9-11.30pm, £7/£5 NUS. Info www.thefluteandtankard.com. Jazz.

 

WEDNESDAY 5 DECEMBER

Alffa + Sssnakes + Finding Aurora The Moon, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £4/£3.50 adv. Info [email protected].
R Bandaoke Porter’s, Cardiff. 8pm. Info [email protected]. “Sing with a fully rehearsed band and become the Popstar you always dreamed of being.” Also on Wed 19.
R Bella & Gareth Blues Duo Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm. Info 029 2038 7026. Also on Wed 16 Jan and Wed 30 Jan.
Canadian Rifle + Deadlines + Question The Mark + Bottlekids Gwdihw, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £5. Info 029 2039 7933. DIY Cardiff present some punk bands, the headliners coming from Chicago and the main support playing their last gig.
Cosmo & Word Salad Present The Snowflakes Christmas Ball AJ’s Coffee House, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £5. Info 029 2045 1588. Two local musicians with whimsical streaks host an evening which promises to feature not just music but a Christmas-themed game titled Shiterotica.
Donnie Joe’s American Swing Ex-Servicemen’s Club, Penarth. 7.30pm, £5/£4.40 adv. Info [email protected]. Also featuring swing DJ The Medicine Man.
Fastlove Grand Theatre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £27. Info 01792 475715. George Michael tribute. In the last issue I managed to confuse this one with Faith (see Fri 11 Jan), another – more lavish – imitation George, so apologies to everyone affected by this grave error. In Aberystwyth tomorrow; Blackwood on Sat 19 Jan.
Frankie Valli And The Four Seasons Motorpoint Arena Cardiff. 6.30pm, from £45. Info 029 2022 4488. Farewell tour for 60s crooner; this gig is sold out, indeed the audience will probably consist entirely of Frankie Valli tribute band members.
Great Lake Swimmers The Globe, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £12 adv. Info 07590 471888. Indie-folk band who are apparently getting more instrumentally lavish on their new stuff, as indie-folk bands often do.
Gruff Rhys + Sweet Baboo + Adwaith Brangwyn Hall, Swansea. 8pm, £22 adv. Info 01792 475715. Late-2018 gig drawing on his latest LP Babelsburg
Kiran Leonard + Ubaldo Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £10. Info 029 2023 2199. Indie-prog kinda guy from Manchester way. Has done some decent stuff.
Maddy Prior & The Carnival Band Borough Theatre, Abergavenny. 7.30pm, £14. Info 01873 850805. Folk veteran offers a Christmassy set.
R Open Jam Session The Andrew Buchan, Cardiff. 9pm, free. Info 029 2021 2509. Every Wednesday.
R Open Mic Market Street Club, Barry. 8pm. Info 01446 733863. Every Wednesday.
Open Mic Night NosDa, Cardiff. 7.30pm, free. Info 029 2037 8866. With a different guest host every week (no sessions on Boxing Day or Wed 2 Jan); tonight’s is Brad Dickenson.
Open Mic Night Redhouse, Merthyr Tydfil. 7pm, free. Info 01685 384111. First Wednesday of every month (best off checking if it’s on Wed 2 Jan though).
R Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama Jazz Students Flute & Tankard, Cardiff. 9-11.30pm, £7/£5 NUS. Info www.thefluteandtankard.com. Performing two sets. Also here on Tue 29 Jan.
Sinfonia Cymru The Riverfront, Newport. 1pm, £5. Info 01633 656757.
Snake Davis Trio The Garage, Swansea. 8.30pm, £5-£10. Info 01792 475147. A Swansea Jazzland night.
Swingcopation Big Band with Phil Lee Thomas Rogerstone & Bassaleg Social Club, Bassaleg, Newport. 8pm, £10. Info [email protected]. A South Wales Big Band Society gig; these are now taking place in a new venue but are still on every Wednesday (apart from Boxing Day and Wed 2 Jan).
Vivian Arms The Vivian Arms, Swansea. 9pm, free. Info 01792 516194. Presented by Nailed It Events.
WNO Christmas Celebration Concert Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 6.30 + 8.15pm, £10. Info 029 2063 6464. Festive music featuring the company’s Youth Opera groups, Community Chorus and WNO musicians.

 

THURSDAY 6 DECEMBER

Alabama 3 Tramshed, Cardiff. 7pm, £19.50 adv. Info 029 2023 5555.
BBC NOW: Handel Messiah St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £5-£41. Info 029 2087 8444. Stephen Layton conducts a performance of this famous work.
Black Stone Cherry + The Cadillac Three + Monster Truck Motorpoint Arena Cardiff. 7.30pm, from £33.50. Info 029 2022 4488. Southern rock sorts. See Upfront.
Children Of Zeus + Darkhouse Family Portland House, Cardiff Bay. 7pm, £12 adv. Info 029 2048 7602. Mancunian soul/hip-hop duo headline.
Comfort State + Beatbox Hann + Shawgz + Calum Conaghan & Lisha Davies Tiny Rebel, Cardiff. 6-10pm, £2. Info 029 2039 9557. An eclectic lineup hosted by Otter Wales.
Danielle Nicholls Band The Pear Tree, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info 029 2025 2042. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Estrons + Mellt + Y Sybs The Globe, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £10 adv. Info 07590 471888. Promoted by Clwb Ifor Bach.
Fastlove Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 8pm, £23. Info 01970 623232.
Genevieve Gyseman + Shimai + Glass Jackets NosDa, Cardiff. 8.30pm, free. Info 029 2037 8866. A Live By The River night presented by U&I Radio.
Graham Pike & The John Gibbon Trio Plas Hyfryd Hotel, Narberth. 8pm, £5-£12. Info 01834 869323. Spanjazz night.
R Hackensack Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm, from £5. Info 029 2038 7026. Monthly showcase featuring, on this occasion, sets by Michael Blanchfield/Frazer Mcintosh Duo and Future Histories. Also on Thurs 10 Jan, with the Alice Leggett Quartet.
Jane’s Calamity Porter’s, Cardiff. 8pm. Info [email protected]. Monthly singalong around the piano.
John Nicholas Nolton Corner, Bridgend. 7.30pm, free. Info 01656 655015. Pop-rock singer-songwriter.
Open Mic The Dolls House, Abertillery. 6pm, free. Info 01495 213300.
Songs That Won The War Grand Theatre, Swansea. 2pm, £17/£15. Info 01792 475715. Vera Lynn, Gracie Fields etc.
Superchoir Acapela, Pentyrch, Cardiff. 6pm, free. Info 029 2089 0862. Soundtracking pizza night. The pizzas aren’t free.
The Headhunters Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7pm, £16. Info 029 2023 2199. As in, Herbie Hancock’s band from the 70s. Sort of. Features original members Bill Summers and Mike Clark.
The Skinner Brothers + Jack Perrett + Carolines + Diggs The Moon, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £7/£6 adv. Info [email protected].
The Trials Of Cato Crindau Constitutional Club, Newport. 8pm, £8/£5. Info 01633 858636. A Lyceum Folk Club night.
You Win Again Grand Theatre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £24.50. Info 01792 475715. Bee Gees tribute, previously a hit in the West End so containing some theatrical aspect I guess.

 

FRIDAY 7 DECEMBER

Abba Arrival Acapela, Pentyrch, Cardiff. 8pm. Info 029 2089 0862. Tribute show. Sold out.
ACAB Bessemer Hotel Carvery & Grill, Merthyr Tydfil. 7pm. Info 01685 387925. Rock covers, accompanying a four-course meal.
AmserJazzTime Winter Jazz Special Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff. 5.30pm, free. Info 029 2039 1391. In the foyer.
Andy Fairweather Low & The Low Riders Borough Theatre, Abergavenny. 7.30pm, £24. Info 01873 850805. Sold out. In Carmarthen tomorrow and Cardiff on Sun 9. Featuring the Hi Riders Big Band also.
Aubrey Parsons Porter’s, Cardiff. 8pm. Info [email protected].
Cardiff Philharmonic Orchestra St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £5.50-£24. Info 029 2087 8444.
Cast Tramshed, Cardiff. 7pm, £22.50 adv. Info 029 2023 5555. They have a best of album out today and have cleverly decided to launch it in Wales, so when they play Walkaway everyone can have a good time thinking about England losing on penalties.
Doghouse + Monsterometer + TravChav The Parrot, Carmarthen. 8pm, £8/£7 adv. Info 01267 231012. Presented by Convoy Cabaret.
Fighting Fifth Husky + The Bloody Frights Creature Sound, Swansea. 7pm. Info 01792 301178.
Flamenco Thief The Globe At Hay, Hay-On-Wye. 8pm, £5. Info 01497 821762.
Genesis Visible Touch The Globe, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £13.50 adv. Info 07590 471888. Tribute to Phil Collins-era Genesis.
R Henry Marten’s Ghost Harbour Bar & Kitchen, Porthcawl. 9pm, free. Info 01656 786175. Presented by Nailed It Events. Also on Fri 14 and Fri 21.
James Kennedy The Duke Of Wellington, Cowbridge. 9.30pm, free. Info 01446 773592. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Killer Queen Grand Theatre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £23.50. Info 01792 475715. Tribute band.
King For A Day: The Nat King Cole Story Ffresh, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 9pm, £15. Info 029 2063 6464. Tribute set by jazz vocalist Atila.
Knock Off + System Reset + Terminal Rage + Deathtraps + Ill Fate + Bad Sam The Dolls House, Abertillery. 7pm, £3. Info 01495 213300. Punk bands playing in aid of Velindre, as will the more hard rock gig here tomorrow be.
*Ladies Of Rage Collective The Moon, Cardiff. 7pm, free. Info [email protected]. New venture (I think this is their second event) highlighting women making hip-hop, grime and drum’n’bass in the region. Also here on Sat 5 Jan.
Lead Coloured River + Street Walking Cheetah + The Kelly Line The Dragonffli, Pontypool. 7pm, £3. Info [email protected].
Live Acoustic Night The Pilot, Penarth. Free. Info 029 2071 0615. On the first Friday of each month.
No Drums After 7 + Mahogany Dog + The Flying Spider Revival + Portraits Jac’s, Aberdare. 7pm, £3. Info 01685 879491.
Off The Record The Retreat, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info 029 2040 7987. Presented by Nailed It Events.
On The Rocks + Universal Translators Wyeside Arts Centre, Builth Wells. 7.30pm, £10 adv. Info 01982 552555. Two bands playing this venue’s 40th birthday party, which has a 1970s-themed evening.
Parsons & Dark The New Penny Farthing, Llantrisant. 9pm, free. Info 01443 237196. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Paul Ashton Ty Newydd, Barry. 9pm, free. Info 01446 407767. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Punchline City Arms, Cardiff. 9pm, free. Info 029 2064 1913. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Reverend James & The Swingtown Cowboys The Andrew Buchan, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info 029 2021 2509.
Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama Festive Brass St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 1pm, £5-£7. Info 029 2087 8444.
Soul Lotta Funk NosDa, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info 029 2037 8866.
Star Wars: A New Hope Motorpoint Arena Cardiff. 7.30pm, £32.50. Info 029 2022 4488. A symphonic orchestra plays the music from said movie while it’s screened behind them.
Steve ’n’ Seagulls Y Plas, Cardiff University Students Union. 7pm, £15 adv. Info 029 2078 1458. Bluegrass versions of hard rock classics, ie a completely stolen novelty idea.
Sweet Ignitions + Stay Voiceless + Lethbridge Owen + The Dirty Delux Le Public Space, Newport. 7.30pm, £5. Info [email protected].
The Fugitives Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm, £4/£3. Info 029 2038 7026. Blues.
The Glory Of Christmas Park & Dare, Treorchy. 7pm, £8/37. Info 0300 0040444. With the Parc & Dare Band.
Trampolene + The Sandinistas + Zephyr + Pastel The Bunkhouse, Swansea. 7pm, £8 adv. Info [email protected].
Triskellion St Fagans Village Hall. 7.30pm, £8/£6/£4 kids/free under-12s. Info 029 2023 2970. Playing the Pentreffest Noz folk night.
U2UK The Neon, Newport. 7.30pm, £15 adv. Info 01633 533666. U2 tribute band.

 

SATURDAY 8 DECEMBER

R 360 Degrees Harbour Bar & Kitchen, Porthcawl. 9pm, free. Info 01656 786175. Presented by Nailed It Events. Also on Sat 15 and Sat 22.
Andy Fairweather Low And The Low Riders Lyric Theatre, Carmarthen. 7pm, £25.50/£23.50. Info 0845 2263510.
Ben Howard Motorpoint Arena Cardiff. 6.30pm, £32.50. Info 029 2022 4488. Folk-pop simp. Think this is his first arena tour.
Built For Comfort Cwmbran RFC, Pontnewydd, Cwmbran. 7.30pm, £7. Info 01633 483238. Borough Blues Club gig.
Bute Chorus Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff. 7.30pm, free. Info 029 2039 1391.
Captain Accident & The Disasters Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7pm, £6. Info 029 2023 2199.
Christmas With Elvis 2018 Borough Theatre, Abergavenny. 7.30pm, £12.50/£10.50. Info 01873 850805. Featuring Keith Davies as Elvis.
Claire M The Red Dragon, Bridgend. 8.30pm, free. Info 01656 654753. Presented by Nailed It Events.
*Cosmic Carnage Christmas Halfdayer The Moon, Cardiff. 5pm, £10/£8 adv. Info info@
themooncardiff.com. Cardiff-based promoters of class noisy rock gigs go above and beyond to round off 2018, with sets from Big Lad, Blown Out, Cattle, Twisted Ankle, Salt Bath, Zinc Bukowski and Bodyhacker.
Goldie Lookin Chain Tramshed, Cardiff. 7pm, £14.50 adv. Info 029 2023 5555. Mad to think a whole year has passed since we asked to interview GLC and were turned down on the grounds that a different Buzz writer had awarded their most recent album two out of five.
Hip Route + Splat The Rat NosDa, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info 029 2037 8866.
IceFire + Excursia + Cry Of A Cynic + Lazarus Moon + Bad Wolf The Dragonffli, Pontypool. 7pm, £5. Info [email protected]. Charity event presented by Meddwlfest and in aid of Gofal.
Ishmael Ensemble Gwdihw, Cardiff. 9pm, £4/£3 adv. Info 029 2039 7933. Playing as part of the Cosmogramma night here; see Clubs for more.
Jack Lukeman + Talitha Rise Acapela, Pentyrch, Cardiff. 8pm, £16 adv. Info 029 2089 0862. Tidy-bearded folk-rocker with Christmas concert.
James Kennedy Birchgrove, Cardiff. 9pm, free. Info 029 2031 1319. Presented by Nailed It Events.
R Jon Crespo Quartet Café Jazz, Cardiff. £2 after 11pm. Info 029 2038 7026. Also here on Sat 15.
Junior Conservatoire Advanced Course Winter Festival Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff. 2.45 + 5pm, free (afternoon) / £7.50/£4 (evening). Info 029 2039 1391. Recitals in the foyer first, then a full concert at 5pm.
Les Triaboliques Theatr Mwldan, Cardigan. 7.30pm, £3-£15. Info 01239 621200. British trio combining desert blues, Turkish music and some other stuff. Features people who play with Robert Plant, PiL and others.
Mabel + Ruel Great Hall, Cardiff University Students Union. 7pm, £16 adv. Info 029 2078 1458. Burgeoning arty pop sort based in London, also the daughter of Neneh Cherry, headlines.
Matthew Frederick The Waterfront, Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon. 1-3pm, free. Info 01874 611622.
Mercury Rev The Gate, Cardiff. 7pm, £25 adv. Info 029 2048 3344. Buffalo indie faves perform a show centred round Deserter’s Songs, their best known album. Announced, and indeed sold out, months ago.
My Name Is Ian + HMS Morris + Carw The Andrew Buchan, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info 029 2021 2509.
One Wild Night The Heath, Cardiff. 9pm, free. Info 029 2039 4207. Bon Jovi tribute. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Penny Arcade Hen Dderwen, Swansea. 9pm, free. Info 01792 203631. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Philomusica Of Aberystwyth Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 8pm, £2-£12. Info 01970 623232. David Russell Hulme conducts a performance of Morfydd Owen’s Nocturne.
Pipe Dream The Patriot, Crumlin. 8pm. Info 01495 247178.
Ross Gurney Three Horse Shoes, Cardiff. 9pm, free. Info 029 2069 4630. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Rushed Rhondda Hotel, Porth. 7pm, £5 adv. Info 01443 682388. Rush tribute band.
Skam + Hand Of Dimes + Wicked Stone + New Device + Ryders Creed + At The Sun + Hollowstar + Tomorrow Is Lost + The Sourheads The Dolls House, Abertillery. 3pm, £9 adv. Info 01495 213300. In aid of Velindre.
Son Of Man + Buffalo Summer + Lethbridge Owen The Garage, Swansea. 7pm, £10/£8 adv. Info 01792 475147. Billed as Micky’s 8th Annual Xmas Jam.
Tax The Heat + Dust Coda Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 6.30pm, £10. Info 029 2023 2199. Hard rock.
The Big What!? Band Porter’s, Cardiff. 8pm. Info [email protected].
The Boss UK The Globe, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £14 adv. Info 07590 471888. Bruce Springsteen tribute.
The Dai Robs Xmas Show Theatr Hafren, Newtown. 8pm, £9. Info 01686 614555. Welshpool crooner.
The King Of Pop Gwyn Hall, Neath. 7.30pm, £12.90-£23.65. Info 0300 3656677. Michael Jackson tribute by one Navi.
The Promise Of Christmas St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 3 + 7.30pm, £5-£14. Info 029 2087 8444. Featuring Cambrensis Choir and Orchestra and the St David’s Praise Choir.
The Shameless Jac’s, Aberdare. 7.30pm, £3. Info 01685 879491.
The Speedgums The Globe At Hay, Hay-On-Wye. 8pm, £5. Info 01497 821762.
Ysgol Sul + Los Blancos + Castro + ARGRPH The Parrot, Carmarthen. 7pm, £5. Info 01267 231012. Presented by Libertino Records.
Ystradivarius Art Shop & Chapel, Abergavenny. 8pm, £12 adv. Info 01873 852960. Welsh baroque chamber ensemble with a punny name.

 

SUNDAY 9 DECEMBER

*Aja + Godspeed You! Peter Andre + Ex Cathedra + Pathogenesis Fuel Rock Club, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £7 adv. Info 07970 063107. Lesson No.1 present some intense noise/performance art from Nottingham solo act Aja, plus various shades of rad DIY electronica from the three supports. “Highest possible recommendation!” – Listings
Andy Fairweather-Low & The Low Riders Tramshed, Cardiff. 7pm, £33.50/£23.50. Info 029 2023 5555.
Aubrey Parsons The Old Post House, Cardiff. 7.15pm, free. Info 029 2056 5400. Presented by Nailed It Events.
R Folk Music & Song Session Arvon Ale House, Llandrindod Wells. 4pm. Info 07477 627267. Every second and fourth Sunday of the month (also on Sun 23 in December; Sun 13 and Sun 27 in January), with an extra acoustic session on the third Sunday (Sun 16 Dec and Sun 20 Jan) too.
Fontaines DC + Hotel Lux + Neurotic Fiction The Moon, Cardiff. 7pm, £12/£8 adv. Info info@
themooncardiff.com. Slush Puppy present an indie-punky gig headlined by fast-rising Dublin group.
R Hot Club Swing Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm. Info 029 2038 7026. Regular gypsy jazz jam and performance club. Also on Sun 13 Jan.
Ian Shimmin Band Browns, Laugharne. 3pm, free. Info 01994 427688.
R Jeff Wayne’s The War Of The Worlds Motorpoint Arena Cardiff. 6.30pm, from £46. Info 029 2022 4488. Theatrical orch-rock madness featuring a nine-piece band and 36-piece strong section. On tomorrow also.
Molly Hatchet The Globe, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £23 adv. Info 07590 471888. Hard rock stalwarts. In their current promo, each of the six members has very carefully sculpted facial hair.
My Girlfriend’s A Zombie + Matthew Frederick + 3MPH + Rob Lear + The COGs + Dunkie Jac’s, Aberdare. 5pm, free. Info 01685 879491. Rowan Tree Cancer Care benefit gig; dinations welcome.
Old Strafford The Brunswick, Swansea. Info 01792 465676. Folk.
Smudges + Bina Williamson + Shelley Duvals + Shop Girls + Starlings Planet Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 7pm, £8/£6. Info 029 2030 4400. Presented by The Wyrd Wonder. Smudges were until recently trading under their actual names, Rhodri Brooks & Eugene Capper.
R Talking Bird Collective Harbour Bar & Kitchen, Porthcawl. 9pm, free. Info 01656 786175. Presented by Nailed It Events. Also on Sun 16 and Sun 23.
The Big Gospel Choir Acapela, Pentyrch, Cardiff. 8pm, £20 adv. Info 029 2089 0862.
The Jedis Earl Haig Memorial Club, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info 029 2062 6015.
The Sixteen At Christmas St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 3pm, £5-£25. Info 029 2087 8444. Renowned choral group.

 

MONDAY 10 DECEMBER

Brecon Town Concert Band Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon. 7pm, £10/£7.50. Info 01874 611622.
Caerphilly Showcase 2018 St David’s Hall, Cardiff.  7pm, £8-£10. Info 029 2087 8444. Performances from Caerphilly Youth Music ensembles and choirs.
Christmas With The 3 Phantoms Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £12-£19.50. Info 029 2039 1391. Songs from the musicals, sung by three former Phantom Of The Opera leads.
Forever Queen Tramshed, Cardiff. 7pm, £10 adv. Info 029 2023 5555. Queen tribute band.
(Hed)p.e. + Davey Suicide + Hemlock Hobo’s, Bridgend. 7pm, £15 adv. Info www.hobosmusicvenue.com. Nu-metal goofs headline.
Saint Sister + Ciaran Lavery Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £8. Info 029 2023 2199.
Sneakbo The Globe, Cardiff. 7pm, £12 adv. Info 07590 471888. Popular name in the new school of grime.
Treorchy Comprehensive School Annual Christmas Concert Park & Dare, Treorchy. 7pm, £4-£6. Info 0300 0040444.
We’re No Heroes + Bandicoot + Taller Than Ben + James Whittaker The Moon, Cardiff. 7pm, £4/£3 adv. Info [email protected]. Fundraising gig for Cardiff Met BAGC end of year degree show.

 

TUESDAY 11 DECEMBER

*Acid Cannibals + Die! Chihuahua Die! + Lung The Moon, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £6. Info [email protected]. Slamming gig headlined by punky metal party boys Acid Cannibals, who feature one of The Cosmic Dead. Lesson No.1 presents.
R AYDMS Annual Christmas Concert The Met, Abertillery. 7pm, £7. Info 01495 355945. Carols and other festive songs. (Until Thurs 13)
Cardiff County & Vale Of Glamorgan Music Service Christmas Showcase St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 7pm, £12/£9.50. Info 029 2087 8444.
Ron King Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm. Info 029 2038 7026.
Swing Style Quartet The Muse, Brecon. 8pm, £12/£10 members. Info [email protected]. A Brecon Jazz Club event.
Gwalia Ladies Charity Concert Scout/Guide HQ, Brynmill, Swansea. 7pm. Info 01792 203392.
Helena Kay’s KIM Trio Flute & Tankard, Cardiff. 9-11.30pm, £7/£5 NUS. Info www.thefluteandtankard.com. Jazz.
Rockers Reunion Earl Haig Memorial Club, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info 029 2062 6015.
Saccharyn + The Desert + Massa Circles Gwdihw, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £3-£5. Info 029 2039 7933. uTalon Borough Theatre, Abergavenny. 7.30pm, £23.50. Info 01873 850805. Eagles tribute band. On tomorrow also.

 

WEDNESDAY 12 DECEMBER

A Christmas Concert Of Seasonal Music & Carols St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £10-£13. Info 029 2087 8444. In aid of the Noah’s Ark charity.
Chameleons Vox The Globe, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £18 adv. Info 07590 471888. UK postpunk group, or a version of them, with a set based on their 1983 LP Script From The Bridge.
Christmas Carol Concert Burnett’s Hill Chapel, Martletwy, Pembrokeshire. 7.30pm. Info 01646 651725. Christmas Party No.1 Pontyclun Institute Athletic Club. 7.30pm, £3. Info 01443 226892. A Llantrisant Folk Club night. It’s a potluck, so attendees are invited to bring a small plate of food.
Claire Martin / Alex Garnett Quintet The Garage, Swansea. 8.30pm, £7-£12.50. Info 01792 475147. A Swansea Jazzland night.
Folio Trio The Queens Head, Monmouth. 8.45pm, free. Info 01600 712767. Jazz ensemble with a dad and son on bass and drums.
Geraint Watkins & Band + The Red Hot Pokers Earl Haig Memorial Club, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £12/£10 adv. Info 029 2062 6015. Sold out.
Grupo De Música Contemporânea De Lisboa Cardiff University Concert Hall. 7-9pm, £10/£8/free NUS. Info 029 2087 4816.
Georgia Ruth The Gate, Cardiff. 7pm, £12/£10. Info 029 2048 3344. Welsh folk-rocker.
Joe Northwood Flute & Tankard, Cardiff. 9-11.30pm, £7/£5 NUS. Info www.
thefluteandtankard.com. Jazz, specifically John Coltrane compositions.
Lady Maisery + Jimmy Aldridge & Sid Goldsmith Art Shop & Chapel, Abergavenny. 8pm, £15 adv. Info 01873 852960. Two UK folk acts play a Christmassy gig.
*Lux + La Llágrima + Glib The Moon, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £5. Info [email protected]. Two Spanish punk bands and a local one playing their debut. Should be great.
Melin Griffith Brass Band Porter’s, Cardiff. 8pm. Info [email protected].
Open Mic Night NosDa, Cardiff. 7.30pm, free. Info 029 2037 8866. With a different guest host every week this month; tonight’s is Bella Collins.
Skyliners Big Band Rogerstone & Bassaleg Social Club, Bassaleg, Newport. 8pm, £10. Info [email protected]. A South Wales Big Band Society gig.
R The Bay Rum Hounds Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm. Info 029 2038 7026. Also on Wed 9 Jan and Wed 23 Jan.
The Burning Hell + Alex Dingley + Ginger Moush + Quiet Marauder Le Public Space, Newport. 7.30pm, £9 adv. Info [email protected]. Canadian singer-songwriter, who seems to play south Wales quite often, headlines.

 

THURSDAY 13 DECEMBER

Acoustic Sinners The Pear Tree, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info 029 2025 2042. Presented by Nailed It Events.
*Aidan Moffat & RM Hubbert Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7pm, £14. Info 029 2023 2199. Scottish indie duo. See Upfront.
Café Cymraeg – Noson Meic Agored The Gate, Cardiff. 7.30pm, free. Info 029 2048 3344. Welsh language open mic night for live music and poetry.
Capital City Jazz Orchestra Porter’s, Cardiff. 8pm. Info [email protected].
Catrin Finch’s Christmas Classical Cafe Acapela, Pentyrch, Cardiff. 8pm, £12 adv. Info 029 2089 0862.
Christmas Carol Concert National Museum Cardiff. 3.30pm, free. Info 029 2039 7951.
Debs Hancock Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm, £6/£5. Info 029 2038 7026.
R Fast Company Bedwellty House & Park, Tredegar. 7pm, £35. Info 01495 353397. Covers band. Price includes a three-course meal. On tomorrow also.
Felix Subway Creature Sound, Swansea. 7pm. Info 01792 301178.
Gwalia Singers Vivian Hall, Blackpill, Swansea. 7pm. Info 01792 203392.
Inhale The Music + Hegsy & The Elements The Andrew Buchan, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info 029 2021 2509.
*Molar + Big Joanie + Oh Peas! + Slagheap The Moon, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £5. Info [email protected]. This is a minty lineup of indie, punk and stuff that could be one, both or neither of these things. Dead excited about seeing Big Joanie, get familiar!.
The Rob Lear Band Newport Fugitives Athletic Club, Rogerstone, Newport. 8pm. Info 07837 288096. Newport Folk Club night, also the annual Tredegar House Folk Festival fundraiser gig.
Winchester UK + I Am Gravity + We Struck Gold + Sentry + These Five Years + WelterWeight The Parrot, Carmarthen. 7pm, free. Info 01267 231012. Presented by Before The End.

 

FRIDAY 14 DECEMBER

101% Pantera Fuel Rock Club, Cardiff. 7pm, £7 adv. Info 07970 063107. Tribute band.
Abergavenny Borough Band Borough Theatre, Abergavenny. 7.30pm, £8/£6. Info 01873 850805. Joined here by the Monmouth Male Voice Choir.
Acoustic Sinners Ty Newydd, Barry. 9pm, free. Info 01446 407767. Presented by Nailed It Events.
uAlexander O’Neal The Globe, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £24.50 adv. Info 07590 471888. Smoove soul icon, on tomorrow also – that one’s sold out though.
Al Lewis + DnA + Marged St John The Evangelist Church, Canton, Cardiff. 7-10pm, £16 adv. Info 07960 820645. Now-annual Christmas show from bilingual Welsh singer-songwriter. Sold out, as is the evening date tomorrow; however there’s also a solo afternoon gig which currently isn’t.
Cattle & Cane Snails Deli, Cardiff. 7pm, £23.50 adv. Info 029 2062 0415. Indie-folky duo, played here before I think. Price includes a buffet.
Celebrating Morfydd Owen (1891-1918) Cardiff University Concert Hall. 7-9pm, £5/free NUS. Info 029 2087 4816. With the Cardiff University Chamber Choir.
Children Of The Gravy + Black Angus Hobo’s, Bridgend. 7pm, £12/£10 adv. Info www.
hobosmusicvenue.com. Tributes to Black Sabbath and AC/DC, both named in reference to food.
Christmas Village Quire The Globe At Hay, Hay-On-Wye. 8pm, £8. Info 01497 821762. Folk and storytelling.
Electric Swing Circus Acapela, Pentyrch, Cardiff. 8pm, £17 adv. Info 029 2089 0862.
Estuary Blacks + Cities Cinema & Co, Swansea. 7.30pm, £5. Info 07982 624959.
Fire Fences + The Rotanas + Carolines The Moon, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info [email protected].
R Fortunate Sons Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm, £4/£3. Info 029 2038 7026. Also here on Fri 11 Jan.
Green Haze Hangar 18, Swansea. 7pm, £4.50 adv. Info [email protected]. Green Day tribute.
Jeremiah Pip Smith The Plough, Whitchurch, Cardiff. 9pm, free. Info 029 2062 3017. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Neighbourhoods + X Twenty-Two Jac’s, Aberdare. 7.30pm, £5. Info 01685 879491. Blink 182 tribute band headline.
Paul Ashton The Duke Of Wellington, Cowbridge. 9.30pm, free. Info 01446 773592. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Pity The Foo + Dirt Rhondda Hotel, Porth. 7pm, £8/£6 adv. Info 01443 682388. Tributes to Foo Fighters and Alice In Chains.
Rhys Davis Trio + Hang11 The Dragonffli, Pontypool. 7pm, £3. Info [email protected].
Rocky Road Glais Rugby Football Club, nr Clydach, Swansea. 8pm, £7. Info 01792 425231. A Valley Folk Club night, and a Christmas party gig to boot.
The Blues Sisters City Arms, Cardiff. 9pm, free. Info 029 2064 1913. Presented by Nailed It Events.
The Bluesters The Andrew Buchan, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info 029 2021 2509.
The Kennedy Soundtrack Le Public Space, Newport. 7.30pm, £7 adv. Info [email protected]. Remember these? Early-00s Welsh nu-metal band who were briefly tipped but stiffed commercially. A sufficient number of people fondly recall them to fill this venue, however. Not only that but there have apparently been ticket scammers for this gig! Guess The Kennedy Soundtrack made it after all.
The Masterplan The Patriot, Crumlin. 9pm, £7 adv. Info 01495 247178. Oasis tribute
The Riff + String Theory + White Riot + Stray Pursuit The Bunkhouse, Swansea. 7pm, £5/£3 adv. Info [email protected].
The Skiptones Porter’s, Cardiff. 8pm. Info [email protected].
Tootinskamoon + The Chalk Outlines The Parrot, Carmarthen. 8pm, £5. Info 01267 231012. A ska band, would you believe.
Upstairs At The Unicorn Christmas Special The Unicorn, Pontypool. 7.30pm, £3. Info 01495 751304. Monthly folk night.

 

SATURDAY 15 DECEMBER

Aberystwyth Choral Society Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 8pm, £2-£13. Info 01970 623232.
Al Lewis St John The Evangelist Church, Canton, Cardiff. 3pm, £12/£10 adv. Info 07960 820645.
Al Lewis + Matthew Frederick + Marged St John The Evangelist Church, Canton, Cardiff. 7-10pm, £20/£16 adv. Info 07960 820645. Sold out.
Ar Ôl Tri Rhos Y Gilwen, Pembrokeshire. 7.30pm, £27. Info 01239 841387. Christmas concert with Welsh choir. Price includes dinner.
Bass 12 Porter’s, Cardiff. 8pm. Info [email protected].
Bjorn Belief Queens Hall, Narberth. 7.30pm, £15 adv. Info 01834 869323. Abba tribute.
Cardiff Sinfonietta & Emilio Aversano Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £13-£18. Info 029 2039 1391.
Cathays Brass Band Carol Singing Buffalo, Cardiff. 7pm. Info 029 2031 0312.
Chamber Orchestra Of Wales Miners Theatre, Ammanford. 7.30pm, £14/£12. Info 0845 2263510.
City Voices Cardiff St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 3pm, £5-£13. Info 029 2087 8444. Christmas concert.
Cwmbach Male Choir Coliseum Theatre, Aberdare. 7pm, £12/£10. Info 0300 0040444.
Dean Mack’s Elvis Workmen’s Hall, Caerphilly. 7.30pm, £12.50/£10 adv. Info 07512 237983. Tribute act.
Dicky Heart & The Murmurs The Vivian Arms, Swansea. 9pm, free. Info 01792 516194. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Dream State + Parting Gift + A Night Like This + Superlove The Bunkhouse, Swansea. 7pm, £10 adv. Info info@
bunkhousebar.co.uk. Hometown show for local rockers who have had quite a fruitful year. See the Ones To Watch roundup for a wee bit on them.
Explosive Light Orchestra The Globe, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £14 adv. Info 07590 471888. ELO tribute.
Faith No More Or Less + Deadwood Hangar 18, Swansea. 7.30pm, £4 adv. Info enquiries@
hangar18musicvenue.co.uk. FNM tribute headline.
Geoff Rodgers The Waterfront, Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon. 1-3pm, free. Info 01874 611622.
Guns 2 Roses Sin City, Swansea. 7.30pm, £12 adv. Info 01792 468892. Tribute band.
Jess Stevens The Glyn Clydach, Neath. 8.45pm, free. Info 01792 818411. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Jets To Zurich + Who Knows Didley? + Recluse + The Rivers The Dragonffli, Pontypool. 7pm, £3. Info [email protected].
Juice CMC Sports & Leisure Club, University Hospital Of Wales, Cardiff. 7pm, £10/£8 adv/£5 kids. Info ruffceilidhs.org. A RUFF Ceilidhs night, also with caller Dave Parsons.
King Lagoon’s Flying Swordfish Dance Band Small World Theatre, Cardigan. 8pm, £10. Info 01239 615952. See Music.
Made In Liverpool Acapela, Pentyrch, Cardiff. 8pm, £19.50 adv. Info 029 2089 0862. Beatles tribute.
Moon Goose + Kish Mauve The Globe At Hay, Hay-On-Wye. 8pm, £6. Info 01497 821762.
Mudskippers The Last Resort, Swansea. 10pm, £5 adv. Info www.
lastresortswansea.com.
Nikki Pope Cockett Inn, Swansea. 9pm, free. Info 01792 588748. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Only Men Aloud Theatr Hafren, Newtown. 7.30pm, £27. Info 01686 614555. With guest vocalist Gruffudd Wyn.
Parsons & Dark Ynysbwl RFC, Pontypridd. 9pm, free. Info 01443 790661. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Prognosis + Trep + Excursia Crowleys Rock Bar, Swansea. 8pm, free Info [email protected].
Queens Of Rock Jac’s, Aberdare. 7.30pm, £13/£10 adv. Info 01685 879491.
Railroad Bill + Capra Mamei + Laundrette + Siobhan McCrudden & Dan Lambert + Rob Nichols + The Bloodshots Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 6.30-10.45pm, £5. Info 029 2023 2199. This is supposedly the last gig EVER for Welsh punky skiffle band Railroad Bill, who started in the mid-80s. Not only that but much of the supporting cast feature the offspring of band members.
Rhys Davis Trio The Andrew Buchan, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info 029 2021 2509.
Simon Trigg The Red Dragon, Bridgend. 8.30pm, free. Info 01656 654753. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Sonic Highway Blinkin Owl, Cwmbran. 9pm, free. Info 01633 484749. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Stars In Their Eyes Le Public Space, Newport. 7pm, £5. Info [email protected]. Biannual charity night of one-off cover bands.
Stereo Hearts The Vault, Swansea. 10pm. Info 01792 465300. Covers.
Street Walking Cheetah + X Twenty Two The Dolls House, Abertillery. 7.30pm. Info 01495 213300.
Surplus Winter Solstice Party The Moon, Cardiff. 6pm-4am, free. Info info@
themooncardiff.com. The folks behind the Surplus Festival, which is due to return in July, with a lineup of psych, punk and other weirdness: Doghouse, Made Of Teeth, Splink, Taffy Twp, Obey Cobra, Lacertilia, Nigel and Not Since The Accident.
Take Note Vocal Group Town Hall, Maesteg. 7.30pm, £8. Info 01656 815995. Joined by Maesteg Children’s Choir and Curtain Up Youth Theatre.
The Christmas Fantasia Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli. 7pm, £20. Info 0845 2263510. Featuring the Hywel Girls’ Choir & Hywel Boy Singers, ITV Britain’s Got Talent Stars Angelicus Celtis and the symphonic sounds of the British Sinfonietta Orchestra, among many others.
The Electric 80s Band Bessemer Hotel Carvery & Grill, Merthyr Tydfil. 7pm. Info 01685 387925. Decade-specific tribute band accompany your meal.
Theia + Weston Rd + Ethyrfield The Patriot, Crumlin. 7.30pm, £5. Info 01495 247178.
The Navarones West End Club, Barry. 9pm. Info 01446 735739. Ska covers from a band who seem to be playing quite a lot in December and January.
The Oasis Experience Ebbw Vale Institute. 7pm, £11 adv. Info 01495 708022. Tribute band.
The Pickups Earl Haig Memorial Club, Cardiff. 9pm, free. Info 029 2062 6015.
The Projectors Ebbw Vale Sports Centre. 7pm, £35. Info 01495 357777. Covers band. Price includes a meal.
The Special Brew Ex-Servicemens Club, Taffs Well. 7pm. Info 029 2025 0731. Ska/2-tone tribute act
Whitehall Parade + Laura Power + Beatbox Hann NosDa, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info 029 2037 8866.
Winter Eradication 2018 Fuel Rock Club, Cardiff. 2-11pm, £12 adv. Info 07970 063107. Extreme metal alldayer featuring Grá, Agrona, Damim, Praecantator, Crimson Throne, Necrocracy, Shadowflag, Misanthropic Existence, Ylem Darkul, Deus Mori and Black Pyre.

 

SUNDAY 16 DECEMBER

R Acoustic Session Arvon Ale House, Llandrindod Wells. 4pm. Info 07477 627267. Also on Sun 20 Jan.
All Ears Avow + Kill The Ideal + Sienna UK + Far From Animals + Taxi Rank The Bunkhouse, Swansea. 7pm, £4 adv. Info [email protected].
BBC Wales: Carols For Christmas St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 3pm, £5. Info 029 2087 8444.
Beer & Carols The Gate, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info 029 2048 3344. Vineyard Church Cardiff host an evening of carol singing around a piano, with the beer of the title provided by Pipes.
British Sea Power Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7pm, £17. Info 029 2023 2199. English indie quirkoids
Carols At The Taliesin Taliesin Arts Centre, Swansea. 5 + 7.30pm, free. Info 01792 602060. Book in advance please.
Chapter Four Jazz Quartet Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 9pm, free. Info 029 2030 4400. Jazz in the bar.
Death By Disco + Bedface + Zepher + Out Of The Black Jac’s, Aberdare. 5.30pm, £3. Info 01685 879491.
East 17 + Michael Bublé Tribute Tramshed, Cardiff. 7pm, £11 adv. Info 029 2023 5555. Apparently a friend of mine went to school with one of the latterday ringer members of East 17 and is sorting a bunch of guestlist places for this? So if you are going, look out for me, or if I’m not there a mad lass called Louise with a cockney accent.
Handel’s Messiah with Chamber Orchestra Of Wales Brangwyn Hall, Swansea. 3pm, £18. Info 01792 475715.
Hunger Strike + Hold Tight + Shallow Graves + 2×4 WMBD + Instruments Of Torture + Vision Quest + Voidcaller The Duke, Neath. 7pm, £3. Info 01639 643892. Rather stuffed bill of hardcore, metalcore etc, including the last ever show for the headliners.
*Jane Siberry Acapela, Pentyrch, Cardiff. 8pm, £17 adv. Info 029 2089 0862. See Music.
Spectrum Singers Christmas Concert Penarth Pier Pavilion. 3-5pm, £8 adv. Info 0844 8700887.
The Brwmys The Andrew Buchan, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info 029 2021 2509.
The Kenny Driscoll Band Earl Haig Memorial Club, Cardiff. 6-8.15pm, free. Info 029 2062 6015.

 

MONDAY 17 DECEMBER

R Easy Street Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8.30pm. Info 029 2038 7026. Also here on Mon 21 Jan
The Bootleg Beatles St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £33.50. Info 029 2087 8444.

 

TUESDAY 18 DECEMBER

100% Rabbit The Moon, Cardiff. 7.30pm. Info [email protected].
Gwalia Singers St Thomas’ Church, Swansea. 6.30pm. Info 01792 203392.
Jazz Cafe The Gate, Cardiff. 8pm, £3 (suggested donation). Info 029 2048 3344.
*Nile Rodgers & Chic + Mistajam Motorpoint Arena Cardiff. 6.30pm, from £45. Info 029 2022 4488. Disco legends. Nile was too busy to do an interview with us and I actually believe it in this case, rather than it being a polite way of saying that we’re not important enough. Might only be VIP tickets left for this one now. See Music.
The Wessex New Orleans Band Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm. Info 029 2038 7026.

 

WEDNESDAY 19 DECEMBER

Aled Rheon Music & The Gorgeous Charge + David Grubb + Matthew Frederick + Swyn + Siobhan McCrudden Gwdihw, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £4 adv. Info 029 2039 7933. A Folk In The Owl’s Nest night.
Bella Collins & Jane Williams Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info 029 2038 7026.
Belshazzar’s Feast Pontyclun Institute Athletic Club. 7.30pm, £9/£6 members. Info 01443 226892. A Llantrisant Folk Club night, their second Christmas party of the month in fact.
Dan Newberry Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm. Info 029 2038 7026.
Jeff Hooper’s Christmas Party Time Rogerstone & Bassaleg Social Club, Bassaleg, Newport. 8pm, £10. Info [email protected]. A South Wales Big Band Society gig. Price includes a buffet.
Open Mic Night NosDa, Cardiff. 7.30pm, free. Info 029 2037 8866. With a different guest host every week this month; tonight’s is TBC at the moment.
Side By Side At Christmas St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 6.45pm, £7.50. Info 029 2087 8444. Community choir performing in support of peopel on the autism spectrum.
The Cottle Brothers Christmas Party The Garage, Swansea. 8.30pm, £7-£12.50. Info 01792 475147. A Swansea Jazzland night.
Tredegar Orpheus Male Voice Choir Bedwellty House & Park, Tredegar. 7pm, £5. Info 01495 353397.
Wine Morals + Hobgoblin + Motel Thieves The Bunkhouse, Swansea. 7pm, £3. Info [email protected].
World Vs World + Windshake + Rapture’s End + Urfe The Parrot, Carmarthen. 7pm Info 01267 231012.

 

THURSDAY 20 DECEMBER

Afternoon In Paris Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl. 8pm, £9.50. Info 01656 815995. Jazz.
Bad Manners Tramshed, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £17 adv. Info 029 2023 5555. Traditional Christmas show.
Christmas By Candlelight Acapela, Pentyrch, Cardiff. 8pm, £16 adv. Info 029 2089 0862. Performed by the Chamber Orchestra Of Wales; introduced and conducted by Alwyn Humphreys.
Dave McPherson + Luke Rainsford + Apathy Avenue The Bunkhouse, Swansea. 7pm, £10/£8 adv. Info [email protected]. Fella from Inme headlines.
Gwalia Singers Mumbles Pier, Swansea. 7pm, £10 adv. Info 01792 203392. Charity concert.
James Kennedy The Pear Tree, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info 029 2025 2042. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Open Mic Christmas Special The Parrot, Carmarthen. 7.30pm, free. Info 01267 231012.
Pi & Hash Showcase The Moon, Cardiff. 7.30pm, free. Info [email protected].
Suspiciously Elvis The Globe, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £15 adv. Info 07590 471888. Tribute act with a special Christmas show.
Wolfsbane Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7pm, £15. Info 029 2023 2199. Hardy perennials of UK hard rock.

 

FRIDAY 21 DECEMBER

Acoustic Sinners The Duke Of Wellington, Cowbridge. 9.30pm, free. Info 01446 773592. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Adwaith + Culture Vultures The Parrot, Carmarthen. 8pm, £5. Info 01267 231012. Black Friday party, more acts TBC.
AYVO Homegrown Christmas Party NosDa, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info 029 2037 8866. With guests TBC.
Calypso The Vivian Arms, Swansea. 9pm, free. Info 01792 516194. Presented by Nailed It Events.
uDansette Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm, £4/£3. Info 029 2038 7026. Soul. Also here on Fri 18 Jan.
uDave Bowen’s 1984 Original Soul Band Earl Haig Memorial Club, Cardiff. 7pm, £10 adv. Info 029 2062 6015. Cardiff band who were a popular live draw circa, I’m given to understand, 1984; indeed this reunion gig is already sold out BUT there has been an extra one added for Sun 30 Dec.
ESP City Arms, Cardiff. 9pm, free. Info 029 2064 1913. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Guns N’ Roses Experience + Wrong Jovi The Muni, Pontypridd. 7pm, £15. Info 01443 490390. Tribute bands.
Hang11 The Dragonffli, Pontypool. 7pm, £3. Info [email protected].
King 810 + Puppy + Sentry Hobo’s, Bridgend. 7pm, £15 adv. Info www.hobosmusicvenue.com. Headliners are nu-metal (they don’t call themselves that of course) from Texas.
Leading Ladies & West End Men At Christmas St Davids Church, Neath. 7.15pm, £12.90/£10.75. Info 0300 3656677. Welsh vocal supergroup.
Los Pacaminos Acapela, Pentyrch, Cardiff. 8pm. Info 029 2089 0862. Paul Young’s faux-Tex-Mex band. Sold out.
Madness Motorpoint Arena Cardiff. 6.30pm, from £37.50. Info 029 2022 4488. This show is billed as The Sound Of Madness and parodies The Sound Of Music, the wholesomeness of which will be unlikely to stop segments of the crowd having a big fight as they do whenever Madness play here in December.
Mr Hate Blinkin Owl, Cwmbran. 9pm, free. Info 01633 484749. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Newbridge Pentecostal Christmas Concert Memorial Hall, Newbridge. 6pm, £2. Info 01495 243252.
New Purple Celebration Tramshed, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £22.50 adv. Info 029 2023 5555. Prince tribute.
Only Men Aloud Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon. 7pm, £27. Info 01874 611622.
Rob Lear Band + Jonathan Nicholas & Mark Purnell The Hyst, Swansea. 7pm. Info 01792 654366.
Rumney Folk Club St Augustine’s Church, Rumney, Cardiff. 7.45pm. Info [email protected]. Christmas edition of this monthly night.
Sheelanagig Queens Hall, Narberth. 8pm, £12/£10. Info 01834 869323.
Stayin’ Alive Theatr Hafren, Newtown. 7.30pm, £20/£18. Info 01686 614555. Bee Gees tribute.
Stay Voiceless + The 501s The Dolls House, Abertillery. 8pm, £3. Info 01495 213300.
The Fugitives The Three Elms, Whitchurch, Cardiff. 9pm, free. Info 029 2061 6866. Playing another Whitchurch pub on Sun 23.
The Spectrums + Majestic 4 Jac’s, Aberdare. 7pm, £7/£5 adv. Info 01685 879491. Tributes to 80s synthpop and hair metal respectively.
Xmas Singalong Special Porter’s, Cardiff. 8pm. Info [email protected].

 

SATURDAY 22 DECEMBER

Acoustic Sinners Three Horse Shoes, Cardiff. 9pm, free. Info 029 2069 4630. Presented by Nailed It Events.
All That Malarkey The Gate, Cardiff. 8pm, £12. Info 029 2048 3344. Christmas cabaret and musical sketches.
Andy & Gos Birchgrove, Cardiff. 9pm, free. Info 029 2031 1319. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Ashen Crown + Democratus + Sentry + Cranial Separation Fuel Rock Club, Cardiff. 6-11pm, £5. Info 07970 063107. Metal bands playing a Music Minds Matter charity gig.
Bandicoot + Xivus + Pastel + Al Moses The Bunkhouse, Swansea. 7pm, £5 adv. Info [email protected].
Bayside Boogiemen Acapela, Pentyrch, Cardiff. 8pm, £14 adv. Info 029 2089 0862. Soul covers.
Big Mac’s Wholly Soul Band Tramshed, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £14 adv. Info 029 2023 5555. You can also pay £180 for a table of 12, so I guess they’re hoping to attract works dos etc.
Christmas Singalong with Sgarmes & Friends Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 7.30pm, free. Info 01970 623232. Featuring Cor Meibion Machynlleth, Aberystwyth Brass Ensemble, Sgarmangels and Lleisiau Ysgol Padarn Sant.
Gorilla Riot + Vella The Patriot, Crumlin. 7pm, free. Info 01495 247178.
John Ayre The Waterfront, Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon. 1-3pm, free. Info 01874 611622.
John Paul The Heath, Cardiff. 9pm, free. Info 029 2039 4207. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Jools Holland’s Rhythm & Blues Orchestra Motorpoint Arena Cardiff. 6.30pm, £42. Info 029 2022 4488. Featuring Marc Almond as special guest, plus more regular sidepeople such as Ruby Turner.
King Goon + Dub Righters + Some Weird Sin + Ben Luc Creature Sound, Swansea. 7pm. Info 01792 301178.
Madassa Soul Band The Globe, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £10 adv. Info 07590 471888.
Mark Pontin Group West End Club, Barry. 8pm. Info 01446 735739.
Mike Dennis + The Bakestones + Tales In The Shade + Hash Hann NosDa, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info 029 2037 8866. This venue’s Christmas party gig.
No Disrespect Blinkin Owl, Cwmbran. 9pm, free. Info 01633 484749. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Noughts And Crosses Bedwellty House & Park, Tredegar. 7pm, £35. Info 01495 353397. Covers band. Price includes a three-course meal.
Paige Kenzie The Red Dragon, Bridgend. 8.30pm, free. Info 01656 654753. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Parsons & Dark The Duke Of Wellington, Cowbridge. 9.30pm, free. Info 01446 773592. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Poetic Justice The Andrew Buchan, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info 029 2021 2509.
Red And The Hogweeds Cellar Bar, Cardigan. 8pm. Info 07818 056599.
Rocket Joe Joe & The Old Time Bangers Porter’s, Cardiff. 8pm. Info [email protected].
Rogora Khart Le Public Space, Newport. 8pm. Info [email protected].
Skacasm The Dolls House, Abertillery. 7pm, £6/£5 adv. Info 01495 213300. Ska/reggae covers.
Soul In Motion Earl Haig Memorial Club, Cardiff. 7pm, £8 adv. Info 029 2062 6015. Sold out.
Sweet Ignitions + Death By Disco + The 501s + Dirty Deluxe The Dragonffli, Pontypool. 7pm. Info [email protected].
The Dreamers Queens Hall, Narberth. 7.30pm, £21 adv. Info 01834 869323. As in ‘Freddie & The’, but he is dead I think.
The Guardians Of Public Morality Jac’s, Aberdare. 7.30pm, £3. Info 01685 879491.
The Guns N Roses Experience Ebbw Vale Institute. 7pm, £12 adv. Info 01495 708022. Tribute band.
The Neville Staple Band + The Navarones The Garage, Swansea. 7.30pm, £20 adv. Info 01792 475147. Yerman from The Specials etc in his current guise.
The Shakes Hen Dderwen, Swansea. 9pm, free. Info 01792 203631. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Vengaboys Eddies, Haverfordwest. 9pm, £20 adv. Info 029 2038 7026. Ironic that such a holiday-centric band can never truly have one. Also, I never noticed until now that all their albums were released on notionally credible house label Strictly Rhythm.

 

SUNDAY 23 DECEMBER

A Candlelit Christmas Brangwyn Hall, Swansea. 3pm, £16.50. Info 01792 475715. Featuring the Chamber Orchestra Of Wales & Chorale with conductor Ros Evans.
Chris Howe Browns, Laugharne. 3pm, free. Info 01994 427688.
Gimme Some Lovin’ + Talking Bird Music The Neon, Newport. 7.30pm, £15 adv. Info 01633 533666. Soul.
Glas The Parrot, Carmarthen. 7pm, £5. Info 01267 231012. Playing the last Parrot Blues night and also in Cardiff tomorrow.
Mr Hate Jac’s, Aberdare. 5pm, £3. Info 01685 879491.
Parsons & Dark Rose & Crown, Porthcawl. 8pm, free. Info 01656 784850. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Punchline Black Boy, Swansea. 9pm, free. Info 01792 299469. Presented by Nailed It Events.
The Fugitives Earl Haig Memorial Club, Cardiff. 6-8.30pm, free. Info 029 2062 6015.
The Worried Men The Dolls House, Abertillery. 7.30pm. Info 01495 213300.
Vinna Bee + Cult Of Doris + Little Eris The Andrew Buchan, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info 029 2021 2509.

 

MONDAY 24 DECEMBER

Glas Earl Haig Memorial Club, Cardiff. 5-7.30pm, free. Info 029 2062 6015.
Gut Bucket Band Cockett Inn, Swansea. 9pm, free. Info 01792 588748. Presented by Nailed It Events.
R Gwd Mondays Open Mic Gwdihw, Cardiff. 7.30pm, free. Info 029 2039 7933. Also on Mon 28 Jan.
Ross Gurney The Duke Of Wellington, Cowbridge. 9.30pm, free. Info 01446 773592. Presented by Nailed It Events.
The Villagers The Twelve Knights, Port Talbot. 9pm, free. Info 01639 882381. Presented by Nailed It Events.

 

WEDNESDAY 26 DECEMBER

Glas The Dolls House, Abertillery. 5pm. Info 01495 213300. Early evening Boxing Day gig.
Prognosis West End Club, Barry. 5pm. Info 01446 735739. Prog/AOR covers
U&I Radio Boxing Day Special The New Crown Inn, Merthyr Tydfil. 5.30-11.30pm, £6.50/£5.50. Info 01685 387925. Featuring sets from Smokestack Lightnin’, Flowers For Freaks, Vella and Ecklectic Mick Kelly.

 

THURSDAY 27 DECEMBER

Fflur Dafydd + Rhys Dafis The Parrot, Carmarthen. 8pm, £8. Info 01267 231012.
Steve Edmunds The Lime Tree, Chepstow. 8pm, free. Info 01291 620959. Presented by Nailed It Events.
The Jug Band Earl Haig Memorial Club, Cardiff. 7pm, free. Info 029 2062 6015.

 

FRIDAY 28 DECEMBER

Algorhythms Of The Ether The Moon, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info [email protected]. This is billed as a “mega jam session including members of Milk, CVC, Cosmic Nod, Telgate, Buzzard and Lacertilia”. Sounds fun!
Anonymous Iconoclasts The Andrew Buchan, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info 029 2021 2509.
Aubrey Parsons The Plough, Whitchurch, Cardiff. 9pm, free. Info 029 2062 3017. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Calan Buffalo, Cardiff. 7pm. Info 029 2031 0312.
Calypso Beaufort Arms, Swansea. 8pm, free. Info 01792 234447. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Chasing Mumford The New Crown Inn, Merthyr Tydfil. 9pm, £10/£8.50 adv. Info 01685 387925. Mumford & Sons tribute. Their logo features a top hat and a handlebar moustache, incredible scenes.
Glas Ty Newydd, Barry. 9pm, free. Info 01446 407767. Presented by Nailed It Events.
James Kennedy The Duke Of Wellington, Cowbridge. 9.30pm, free. Info 01446 773592. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Jodie Marie & Bella Collins Duo + Jonathan Nicholas The Parrot, Carmarthen. 7.30pm, £5. Info 01267 231012.
Metallica Reloaded The Patriot, Crumlin. 8pm, £5. Info 01495 247178. Tribute band. In Swansea on Fri 25 Jan.
Nikki Pope City Arms, Cardiff. 9pm, free. Info 029 2064 1913. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Seasa Kay Aubrey Arms, Bonvilston. 8pm, free. Info 01446 781210. Presented by Nailed It Events.
R The Bella Collins Band Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm, £4/£3. Info 029 2038 7026. Soul. Also here on Fri 25 Jan.
Two Til Twelve + String Theory + White Riot Creature Sound, Swansea. 7pm, £5/£3 adv. Info 01792 301178.

 

SATURDAY 29 DECEMBER

Florence Black Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7pm, £10. Info 029 2023 2199.
Kamikazee Millionaires The Patriot, Crumlin. 8pm, free. Info 01495 247178.
Kong Lives + Positive Reaction + Lighthammer The Moon, Cardiff. 7.30pm, free. Info info@
themooncardiff.com.
Nova Blinkin Owl, Cwmbran. 9pm, free. Info 01633 484749. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Rain Kings Birchgrove, Cardiff. 9pm, free. Info 029 2031 1319. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Rhiannon Earl Haig Memorial Club, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £8 adv. Info 029 2062 6015. Fleetwood Mac tribute band. Sold out.
Sara Ashley The Red Dragon, Bridgend. 8.30pm, free. Info 01656 654753. Presented by Nailed It Events.
R The Hold Up: Inner City Cypher Oner Signs, Cardiff. 1-5pm, free. Info 029 2037 1231. Monthly hip-hop session inviting MCs, beatboxers, DJs etc down to jam. This one will be followed by some sort of Christmas do in town, then next month it’s on Sat 26 Jan
The Masterplan Jac’s, Aberdare. 7.30pm, £5. Info 01685 879491. Oasis tribute.
The Scopyons + Psycho Kiss Rhondda Hotel, Porth. 7pm, £5 adv. Info 01443 682388. Scorpions tribute band headline.
The Somethings The Garage, Swansea. 9pm, free. Info 01792 475147. Launch night of a new weekly event in which a different cover band will play three sets during the evening, starting at 10.30pm and finishing at 1.30am. Described as “an exciting new chapter” for the venue, which I suspect means “cover bands are the only thing people actually want to see so hopefully this will keep the lights on”.
The UB40 Experience The Globe, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £12.50 adv. Info 07590 471888. Tribute band.

 

SUNDAY 30 DECEMBER

*Addiction The Andrew Buchan, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info 029 2021 2509. Now this is interesting! To me at least. Addiction were a late 70s/early 80s punk band from Pontypridd who featured on the Is The War Over? comp LP and are part of the Young Marble Giants family tree. This is a one-off reformation gig in a Roath alehouse.
Deuces Are Wild Earl Haig Memorial Club, Cardiff. 6-8.30pm, free. Info 029 2062 6015.
The Buttonsville Trio Browns, Laugharne. 3pm, free. Info 01994 427688.

 

MONDAY 31 DECEMBER

2 Rude + The Brightoners Jac’s, Aberdare. 6pm, £15/£12.50 adv. Info 01685 879491. Ska and mod covers.
Aleighcia Scott Irie Shack, Cathays, Cardiff. 6pm, free after booking a table. Info 029 2037 3272. Class reggae singer (see Ones To Watch 2019) performs as part of this Caribbean restaurant’s NYE provisions. It’s three courses for £19.95 which is decent.
Blues Brothers Tribute Cockett Inn, Swansea. 7pm, free. Info 01792 588748. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Colum Regan Academy Espresso Bar, Barry. 7pm, £12.50 adv. Info 07557 773723.
Georgia Patterson Bar 44, Cowbridge. 4.30pm, free. Info 0333 3444049. Presented by Nailed It Events. I have to mention the listings I’ve been given for the Cardiff, Penarth and Bristol branches of Bar 44, which all feature a simultaneous DJ set (10pm-1am) from one Rikki Davies. I’ve heard of superstar jocks doing NYE sets in different timezones but this is somethign else!
Kingson The Heath, Cardiff. 9pm, free. Info 029 2039 4207. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Maddie & The Pandas Porter’s, Cardiff. 8pm. Info [email protected].
Mad Isaac + Raised By Sharks +Beyond Oblivion + Mirages The Dragonffli, Pontypool. 7pm. Info [email protected]. This is ticket-only, although I don”t actually know the price, and comes with free food.
Rachel B The Red Dragon, Bridgend. 9pm, free. Info 01656 654753. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Simon Trigg Birchgrove, Cardiff. 9pm, free. Info 029 2031 1319. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Ska Monkeys The Duke Of Wellington, Cowbridge. 9.30pm, free. Info 01446 773592. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Sould The Globe At Hay, Hay-On-Wye. 8pm, £10. Info 01497 821762. Soul covers.
Tailor Rai Old Inn, Swansea. 9pm, free. Info 01792 894097. Presented by Nailed It Events.
The Freeway & Friends NosDa, Cardiff. 9pm-1am, free. Info 029 2037 8866.
The Navarones Ten 11, Barry. 9.30pm, £5 adv. Info 07737 883731. Ska covers.
The Side Effects The Seagull Inn, Porthcawl;. 9pm, free. Info 01656 785420. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Tony Breen Band The Roath Park, Cardiff. 8pm-12am, free. Info 029 2047 1961.

 

TUESDAY 1 JANUARY

Cripplecreek + Spirit Of Boogie + Fireroad Jac’s, Aberdare. 3pm, £10. Info 01685 879491.
Hells Bells The Dolls House, Abertillery. 7pm, £7/£6 adv. Info 01495 213300. AC/DC tribute band.
Whitchurch Jam Session #113 Earl Haig Memorial Club, Cardiff. 4-8.30pm, free. Info 029 2062 6015.

 

THURSDAY 3 JANUARY

Sam Graham Gwdihw, Cardiff. 7.30pm. Info 029 2039 7933.

 

FRIDAY 4 JANUARY

Beatbox Hann Presents The Moon, Cardiff. 7pm, free. Info [email protected]. Beatbox Hann is a beatbox guy (would you believe) but it says here this is a night of singer-songwriters. Either way it kicks off a near-month (until Sat 26) of FREE ENTRY gigs in this venue.
Just Drive + Deaf Horse + When I Was 5 + One Mark And A Frank The Dragonffli, Pontypool. 7pm, free. Info [email protected].
Open Night Glais Rugby Football Club, nr Clydach, Swansea. 8pm, £3. Info 01792 425231. A Valley Folk Club night.

 

SATURDAY 5 JANUARY

Beyond The Barricade St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £24. Info 029 2087 8444. Songs from the musicals.
Jingle Bal with Deux Sans Frontieres St Fagans Village Hall. 7.30pm, £8/£6/£4 kids/free under-12s. Info 029 2023 2970. Playing the Pentreffest Noz folk night.
Judy Blu Band Cwmbran RFC, Pontnewydd, Cwmbran. 7.30pm, £10. Info 01633 483238. Borough Blues Club gig.
The Pollen Count Rhondda Hotel, Porth. 7pm, £4 adv. Info 01443 682388.
*Twin Siblings + Aeddan + Deep Hum + Massa Circles Clwb Y Bont, Pontypridd. 7pm, free (donations welcome). Info 01443 491424. Experimental type acts from south Wales.

 

SUNDAY 6 JANUARY

Laurence Lewis Browns, Laugharne. 3pm, free. Info 01994 427688.
Snatch It Back Earl Haig Memorial Club, Cardiff. 6-8.30pm, free. Info 029 2062 6015.
WNO Orchestra: A Night In Vienna Theatr Hafren, Newtown. 4pm, £16/£14.50. Info 01686 614555. Directed by David Adams; in Cardiff on Tue 15.

 

TUESDAY 8 JANUARY

Brecon Jazz Club The Muse, Brecon. 8pm. Info [email protected].
Frazer McIntosh Group Flute & Tankard, Cardiff. 9-11.30pm, £7/£5 NUS. Info www.thefluteandtankard.com. Jazz.
The Keith Little Quartet Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm. Info 029 2038 7026.

 

WEDNESDAY 9 JANUARY

Damian Wilson + Adam Wakeman Acapela, Pentyrch, Cardiff. 8pm, £16 adv. Info 029 2089 0862. Prog-folk duo.
Iain Ballamy Quartet Flute & Tankard, Cardiff. 9-11.30pm, £7/£5 NUS. Info www.thefluteandtankard.com. Jazz.
Open Mic Night NosDa, Cardiff. 7.30pm, free. Info 029 2037 8866. With a different guest host every week this month; tonight’s is TBC.
Simon Spillett Quartet The Garage, Swansea. 8.30pm, £7-£12.50. Info 01792 475147. A Swansea Jazzland night.
The Rumblestrutters Pontyclun Institute Athletic Club. 7.30pm, £8/£5 members. Info 01443 226892. A Llantrisant Folk Club night.
The Skymasters Little Big Band Rogerstone & Bassaleg Social Club, Bassaleg, Newport. 8pm, £10. Info [email protected]. A South Wales Big Band Society gig.

 

THURSDAY 10 JANUARY

Kingson Gwdihw, Cardiff. 7.30pm, free. Info 029 2039 7933. EP launch gig.
The Hotsteppas The Moon, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info [email protected]. Reggae band from Bristol.

 

FRIDAY 11 JANUARY

Emarosa Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7pm, £12 adv. Info 029 2023 2199. Presented by Imperial Music.
Faith: The George Michael Legacy Motorpoint Arena Cardiff. 7.30pm, from £30. Info 029 2022 4488. Tribute act. Really foxing me quite how popular this is. Wham!’s trumpet player is part of the live band which is nice but hardly an arena-filling factor.
Jilted Generation The Globe, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £11 adv. Info 07590 471888. Prodigy tribute band.
Ironbird + State Of Decay + Positive Reaction + Failed State + System Reset The Moon, Cardiff. 7pm, free. Info info@
themooncardiff.com. Doom, crust and hardcore bands in a decent looking lineup arranged by a Buzz contributor.
Whole Lotta Led Acapela, Pentyrch, Cardiff. 8pm, £16 adv. Info 029 2089 0862. Led Zep tribute band, playing acoustic here.
Wonderbrass Gwdihw, Cardiff. 9pm. Info 029 2039 7933.

 

SATURDAY 12 JANUARY

Bon Jovii Clwb Y Bont, Pontypridd. 8pm. Info 01443 491424. Tribute band.
Food Fighterz Hangar 18, Swansea. 7.30pm, £4 adv. Info enquiries@
hangar18musicvenue.co.uk. Foo Fighters tribute.
Kinstrife + Superseed + Behind The Pictures The Dragonffli, Pontypool. 7pm, £2. Info [email protected].
Michael Starring Ben St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £25-£30. Info 029 2087 8444. Michael Jackson tribute. The Ben of the title is one Ben Bowman, sadly no relation to the rat that Jackson immortalised in song.
Risca Male Voice Choir Sings The Movies Memorial Hall, Newbridge. 6.30pm, £10/£8. Info 01495 243252.
Steve Page The Waterfront, Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon. 1-3pm, free. Info 01874 611622.
Subhumans + In Evil Hour + Burning Flag + Social Experiment + System Reset The Dolls House, Abertillery. 7.30pm. £12/£10 adv. Info 01495 213300. Anarcho punk icons headline, Blind Destruction presents.
The Bowie Experience + Replaced By Robots Jac’s, Aberdare. 7pm, £13/£10 adv. Info 01685 879491. Bowie tribute act headlines.
The Fordsons The Globe At Hay, Hay-On-Wye. 8pm, £5. Info 01497 821762.
The Smyths The Globe, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £14 adv. Info 07590 471888. Smiths tribute band. The debut album is 35 years old this year so they’re milking that. Clever thing about The Smiths is they released records in five individual years then split up, so there’s always an anniversary that’s a multiple of five or 10.

 

SUNDAY 13 JANUARY

80th Birthday Gala Concert Coliseum Theatre, Aberdare. 5pm, £10/£8. Info 0300 0040444. Rescheduled from a few months back, when it actually was the venue’s 80th birthday.
Outback Earl Haig Memorial Club, Cardiff. 6-8pm, free. Info 029 2062 6015.
Paul Edwards Browns, Laugharne. 3pm, free. Info 01994 427688.
Radkey The Globe, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £10 adv. Info 07590 471888.
Spare Snare + Young Romance + Oh Peas! + Laundrette + Papa Jupe’s Taurus Club The Moon, Cardiff. 4-10pm, free. Info [email protected]. Spare Snare! Now there’s a name from the 90s lo-fi indie vaults.

 

MONDAY 14 JANUARY

The 1975 + Pale Waves + No Rome Motorpoint Arena Cardiff. 6.30pm, £32.50. Info 029 2022 4488. Pop smoothies. Sold out.
The Shonk Help Refugees Jam The Moon, Cardiff. 7.30pm, free. Info [email protected].

 

TUESDAY 15 JANUARY

Martin Carthy & John Kirkpatrick St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 8pm, £5-£16.50. Info 029 2087 8444. Folk duo play a Roots Unearthed gig.
Thom Voyce Group Flute & Tankard, Cardiff. 9-11.30pm, £7/£5 NUS. Info www.
thefluteandtankard.com. Jazz.
WNO Orchestra: A Night In Vienna Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £7.75-£17.50. Info 029 2039 1391.

 

WEDNESDAY 16 JANUARY

R Battle Of The Bands 2019 Preliminaries The Bunkhouse, Swansea. 7pm. Info [email protected]. Lineups TBC but there’s a £1000 prize plus other stuff; this is the first heat/ Heat 2 is on tomorrow, heat 3 Wed 23, heat 4 Thurs 24, heat 5 Wed 30, heat 6 Thurs 31, heat 7 Wed 6 Feb, heat 8 Thurs 7 Feb, heat 9 Wed 13 Feb and heat 10 Thurs 14 Feb.
DLQ The Queens Head, Monmouth. 8.45pm, free. Info 01600 712767. AKA the Dominic Lash Quartet, so presumably bowling from the skronkier end of the jazz pavilion.
Gethin Liddington’s High Society Orchestra Rogerstone & Bassaleg Social Club, Bassaleg, Newport. 8pm, £10. Info [email protected]. A South Wales Big Band Society gig.
Newport Folk Club Showcase Pontyclun Institute Athletic Club. 7.30pm, £3 Info 01443 226892. A Llantrisant Folk Club night, where performers from other folk clubs in the region come and play.
Open Mic Night NosDa, Cardiff. 7.30pm, free. Info 029 2037 8866. With a different guest host every week this month; tonight’s is TBC.
The Two Toms Quartet The Garage, Swansea. 8.30pm, £5-£10. Info 01792 475147. A Swansea Jazzland night.
The Welcome Rain Flute & Tankard, Cardiff. 9-11.30pm, £7/£5 NUS. Info www.thefluteandtankard.com. Jazz.

 

THURSDAY 17 JANUARY

African Children’s Choir St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £5-£12. Info 029 2087 8444.
Airstream Futures + Mean Caesar + Bedford Falls + Honest Thieves Le Public Space, Newport. 7.30pm, £6. Info [email protected]. Melodic punk stuff, headliners being from Chicago and ex-members of some fairly well regarded bands.
Ak’bal + Hang11 + The Algal Bloom + Androo Gwynn The Moon, Cardiff. 7.30pm, free. Info info@
themooncardiff.com. Presented by Pi & Hash.
Monmouth Big Band Savoy Theatre, Monmouth. 8pm, £10/£8. Info 01600 772467. Premiere performance of Gareth Roberts’ The Monmouthshire Suite.
T. Rextasy Grand Theatre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £25. Info 01792 475715. Tribute show.

 

FRIDAY 18 JANUARY

Amy Wadge & Luke Jackson Pontardawe Arts Centre. 7pm, £15. Info 01792 863722. See Upfront for an interview with Amy.
Architects + Beartooth + Polaris Motorpoint Arena Cardiff. 6.30pm, £32.50. Info 029 2022 4488. I saw Brighton metalcore band Architects play to maybe 30 people in maybe 2005. I think Luke from Shaped By Fate booked them and they went on after a doom band from Swansea who played forever and before The Death Of Her Money. It’s a shit business! Unless you’re Architects, clearly.
BBC NOW: Stephen Hough Plays Beethoven St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £5-£41. Info 029 2087 8444. Thomas Søndergård conducts a programme of Beetohven and Mahler.
Broken Bones Matilda + Duncan McCorkindale The Globe At Hay, Hay-On-Wye. 8pm, £5. Info 01497 821762.
GBH + State Of Decay + Tenplusone + Social Experiment The Bunkhouse, Swansea. 7.30pm, £12 adv. Info [email protected]. Punk and hardcore.
I Can’t Believe It’s Not Buddy! Acapela, Pentyrch, Cardiff. 8pm, £18 adv. Info 029 2089 0862. Buddy Holly tribute.
Keith Christmas Glais Rugby Football Club, nr Clydach, Swansea. 8pm, £7. Info 01792 425231. A Valley Folk Club night.
L1nkn_p4rk + Deffertones Jac’s, Aberdare. 8pm, £9/£7 adv. Info 01685 879491. Linkin Park and Deftones tributes.
Luke Ashley Acapela, Pentyrch, Cardiff. 6pm, free. Info 029 2089 0862. Soundtracking pizza night.
Ruby Turner Coliseum Theatre, Aberdare. 8pm, £22.50. Info 0300 0040444.
These Five Years + Outta Peak + Air Drawn Dagger + Clarity Gwdihw, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £4/£3 adv. Info 029 2039 7933. EP launch gig for headliners.
Who’s Next + Small Fakers The Globe, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £13 adv. Info 07590 471888. Tributes to The Who and The Small Faces.

 

SATURDAY 19 JANUARY

Almost Olly + Dustry Road The Hyst, Swansea. 7pm, £10 adv. Info 01792 654366. Olly Murs tribute headlines.
*Casual Nun + Drore + Harrowed + Conqueror Worm + No Pulse + Shishu The Moon, Cardiff. 5.30pm, free. Info [email protected]. Cosmic Carnage and Lesson No.1 with a rad half-dayer of psych, hardcore, punk, grind, maybe other stuff.
Cat’s Claw St Mary’s Hall, Canton, Cardiff. 7pm, £10/£8 adv/£5 kids. Info ruffceilidhs.org. A RUFF Ceilidhs night, also with caller Mic Spenceley.
Chris Bramley + Elliot Oakley NosDa, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info 029 2037 8866.
Classic Elvis St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £27/£9 under-18s. Info 029 2087 8444. Featuring Ciarán Houlihan as Elvis and the Cardiff Philharmonic Orchestra as the Cardiff Philharmonic Orchestra.
Dead At 27 + Stay Voiceless + Wager The Dragonffli, Pontypool. 7pm, £2. Info [email protected].
Fastlove Miners Institute, Blackwood. 7.30pm, £25.50. Info 01495 227206.
Kodiak Avenue The Waterfront, Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon. 1-3pm, free. Info 01874 611622.
Michale Graves Hangar 18, Swansea. 7.30pm, £15 adv. Info enquiries@
hangar18musicvenue.co.uk. One-time Misfits frontman, propogator of the “it’s punk to vote Republican” hot take and general berk.
Roxy Magic The Globe, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £12 adv. Info 07590 471888. Roxy Music tribute band.
Someone Like You – The Adele Songbook Grand Theatre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £22.50. Info 01792 475715. Tribute act.
Soul Stripper Rhondda Hotel, Porth. 7pm, £5 adv. Info 01443 682388. Bon-era AC/DC tribute band.
The 1210s The Globe At Hay, Hay-On-Wye. 8pm, £5. Info 01497 821762. Wales-based jazz ensemble.

 

SUNDAY 20 JANUARY

Acoustic Strawbs  Acapela, Pentyrch, Cardiff. 8pm, £20 adv. Info 029 2089 0862.
Back To Bacharach St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £25/£23.50. Info 029 2087 8444. Performed by the Magic Moments Orchestra and various West End vocalists.
R Boyzone Motorpoint Arena Cardiff. 7.30pm, from £42.50. Info 029 2022 4488. This is their farewell tour and this date was added to an initially announced one on Mon 4 Feb, due to demand.
Forte Project Alldayer The Moon, Cardiff. 2pm, free. Info [email protected]. Acts are TBC but this will be a showcase for the latest crop of artists on the Forte Project new musicians’ scheme this year.
Laura Benjamin Browns, Laugharne. 3pm, free. Info 01994 427688.
The Counterfeit Sixties Congress Theatre, Cwmbran. 7pm, £18/£17. Info 01633 868239. Decade-specific tribute band.
WNO Orchestra: A Night In Vienna The Riverfront, Newport. 4pm, £18/£15. Info 01633 656757.
Yulianna Avdeeva Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff. 11am, £8-£20. Info 029 2039 1391. Piano recital before lunch, which you can eat here if you like.

 

TUESDAY 22 JANUARY

Capital City Jazz Orchestra St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 8pm, £14/£7 under-16s. Info 029 2087 8444. With guest soloist Mike Lovatt. In Newport tomorrow, minuhs Lovatt.
Huw V Williams Group Flute & Tankard, Cardiff. 9-11.30pm, £7/£5 NUS. Info www.thefluteandtankard.com. Jazz.
Isata Kanneh-Mason St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 1pm, £5-£7. Info 029 2087 8444. Lunchtime recital of Chopin by a pianist who has something called an Elton John Scholarship.

 

WEDNESDAY 23 JANUARY

Bruno Heinen Trio Flute & Tankard, Cardiff. 9-11.30pm, £7/£5 NUS. Info www.thefluteandtankard.com. Jazz.
Capital City Jazz Orchestra Rogerstone & Bassaleg Social Club, Bassaleg, Newport. 8pm, £10. Info [email protected]. A South Wales Big Band Society gig.
John-Paul Organ Trio The Garage, Swansea. 8.30pm, £7-£12.50. Info 01792 475147. A Swansea Jazzland night.
Open Mic Night NosDa, Cardiff. 7.30pm, free. Info 029 2037 8866. With a different guest host every week this month; tonight’s is TBC.
The Classic Rock Show St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £26.50. Info 029 2087 8444. Rock covers.

 

THURSDAY 24 JANUARY

Edwina Hayes Crindau Constitutional Club, Newport. 8pm, £8/£5. Info 01633 858636. A Lyceum Folk Club night.
Garin Fitter Acapela, Pentyrch, Cardiff. 6pm, free. Info 029 2089 0862. Soundtracking pizza night.
Jon Crespo The Small Space, Barry. 7pm. Info [email protected]. Jazz.
Rachel Baiman Cinema & Co, Swansea. 7.30pm, £14 adv. Info 07982 624959. Country/bluegrass artist based in Nashville.
The Magic Of Motown Grand Theatre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £34.50/£21. Info 01792 475715. Tribute show.
The Young Hearts + Delaire, The Liar + Seven Stories High + These Five Years + Welterweight The Bunkhouse, Swansea. 7pm, £4 adv. Info [email protected].
Twin Bandit + Steph Cameron Le Public Space, Newport. 7.30pm, £8. Info [email protected]. Double touring bill of Canadians.
*Uncle Acid + Blood Ceremony The Globe, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £15 adv. Info 07590 471888. Twin bill of retro/occult hard rockers. Uncle Acid played here a year and a bit ago but Blood Ceremony, from Canada, are the real draw for this listener at least.

 

FRIDAY 25 JANUARY

Beatbox Hann & Friends The Moon, Cardiff. 7pm, free. Info [email protected]. Local hip-hop etc.
R Elvis: The Legend Lives On Miners Institute, Blackwood. 7.30pm, £16.50. Info 01495 227206. Starring Gordon Davis. On tomorrow also.
Isolation + More Human Than Human The Dragonffli, Pontypool. 7pm, £3. Info [email protected].
Luther St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £24.50. Info 029 2087 8444. Luther Vandross tribute show.
Metallica Reloaded Hangar 18, Swansea. 7pm, £5 adv. Info [email protected].
Quadrophenia The Album: Live! Coliseum Theatre, Aberdare. 7.30pm, £22. Info 0300 0040444. Who tribute show.
*Ronnie Spector And The Ronettes Tramshed, Cardiff. 7pm, £30.50 adv. Info 029 2023 5555. See Music.
Slime City + Head Noise + Martyrials + Common Spit Jac’s, Aberdare. 7.30pm, £14. Info 01685 879491.
The Best Of Wham! Borough Theatre, Abergavenny. 7.30pm, £22.50. Info 01873 850805. Tribute show.
The Specials Ltd + 2 Rude The Globe, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £10 adv. Info 07590 471888. Specials tribute band supported by general 2-Tone tribute band.
Ultimate Eagles Grand Theatre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £26/£24. Info 01792 475715. Tribute show.
R Whitney: Queen Of The Night The Riverfront, Newport. 7.30pm, £25/£23. Info 01633 656757. Tribute show. On tomorrow also. Is this – no offence to Ronnie Spector – the most miserable day of live music in the history of this magazine? It’s certainly got my vote.

 

SATURDAY 26 JANUARY

9xDead + Kiss Like Ether + The Shallow Souls + Rapture’s End Fuel Rock Club, Cardiff. 7pm. Info 07970 063107. Various bands on goth tips.
Bryony Sier + Selena In The Chapel NosDa, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info 029 2037 8866. Presented by Pi & Hash.
Dolls + Miss Kill The Dragonffli, Pontypool. 7pm, £6. Info [email protected]. London grunge duo headline.
Flash Paget Rooms, Penarth. 7pm, £15 adv. Info 029 2070 0721. Queen tribute.
Free For Alldayer The Moon, Cardiff. 2pm, free. Info [email protected]. The final event of Free For All here this month, lineup TBC right now though.
Greg Williams The Waterfront, Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon. 1-3pm, free. Info 01874 611622.
Holy Moly & The Crackers Acapela, Pentyrch, Cardiff. 8pm, £16. Info 029 2089 0862. “Bombastic folk rockers” whose generous offer, or possibly that of the venue, is your money back if you’re not enthused by their performance. Think I can save them the trouble.
Jason And The Astronauts The Globe At Hay, Hay-On-Wye. 8pm, £5. Info 01497 821762.
Johnny Cash Roadshow St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £25/£23. Info 029 2087 8444. Tribute show.
Oye Santana The Globe, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £13 adv. Info 07590 471888. Santana tribute band.
Risca Male Choir Sings The Movies Congress Theatre, Cwmbran. 7pm, £10. Info 01633 868239.
Stompers And Singers Music Night Canton Uniting Church, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £7/£4. Info 029 2065 5185. Featuring the Stompers Jazz Band and the Canton RFC Male Voice Choir. In aid of VSO and Space4U.
Stonehouse Earl Haig Memorial Club, Cardiff. 9pm, free. Info 029 2062 6015.
Such Gold + Koji Hobo’s, Bridgend. 7pm, £13/£10 adv. Info www.hobosmusicvenue.com. Pop-punk bands.
The Bohemians Lyric Theatre, Carmarthen. 7.30pm, £22/£20. Info 0845 2263510. Queen tribute band.
The London Welsh Male Voice Choir St Davids Church, Neath. 7pm, £11. Info 0300 3656677.
The Navarones Roath Sports & Social Club, Cardiff. 9pm, £5 adv. Info 029 2048 6855. Ska covers.

 

SUNDAY 27 JANUARY

Dai C Thomas Browns, Laugharne. 3pm, free. Info 01994 427688.
Daisy Chapman Acapela, Pentyrch, Cardiff. 8pm, £12. Info 029 2089 0862.
Ingested + Sodomized Cadaver +They Live | We Sleep + Infernal Diadem The Bunkhouse, Swansea. 7pm, £10 adv. Info [email protected]. Death metal (excepting TL|WS), the headliners being Mancunian.
Radio Banska Melville Theatre, Abergavenny. 7.30pm, £10/£8/£3 NUS. Info 01873 853167. Black Mountain Jazz gig.
The Faim The Globe, Cardiff. 7pm, £10 adv. Info 07590 471888. Australian pop-punks.
Tumbling Dice West End Club, Barry. 6-8pm. Info 01446 735739. Rock covers.
Whitchurch Jam Session #114 Earl Haig Memorial Club, Cardiff. 4-8.30pm, free. Info 029 2062 6015.
WNO Orchestra St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 3pm, £5-£49.50. Info 029 2087 8444. Carlo Rizzi conducts a programme of Mendelssohn, Bruch and Rachmaninov.

 

MONDAY 28 JANUARY

Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba + Catrin Finch & Seckou Keita Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £22. Info 029 2039 1391. See Music. In Cardigan tomorrow.
Teddy Hunter The Moon, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £6/£5 adv. Info [email protected]. This will be a larger bill of electronic music but its content is TBC.
The Wombats Newport Centre. 7pm, £25. Info 01633 656757. Indie stalwarts who seem to be creeping up the venue-size scale.
VNV Nation The Globe, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £23 adv. Info 07590 471888. Electro-goth faves, played here a few years back if I recall right.

 

TUESDAY 29 JANUARY

Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba + Catrin Finch & Seckou Keita Theatr Mwldan, Cardigan. 7.30pm, £24. Info 01239 621200.
Martyn Joseph St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £5-£19. Info 029 2087 8444. Roots Unearthed gig.
Rainbow Maniac + The Rotanas + Carolines The Moon, Cardiff. 6.30-10pm, £6/£5 adv. Info info@
themooncardiff.com.
Sean Shibe St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 1pm, £5-£7. Info 029 2087 8444. Classical guitarist.

 

WEDNESDAY 30 JANUARY

Banshee Flute & Tankard, Cardiff. 9-11.30pm, £7/£5 NUS. Info www.thefluteandtankard.com. Jazz.
Cor Lleisiau Hardd The Hyst, Swansea. 7pm, £8 adv. Info 01792 654366.
Gareth Williams / Laurence Cottle / Ian Thomas Trio The Garage, Swansea. 8.30pm, £7-£12.50. Info 01792 475147. A Swansea Jazzland night.
Keith Donnelly Pontyclun Institute Athletic Club. 7.30pm, £8/£5 members. Info 01443 226892. A Llantrisant Folk Club night.
Matt Ford, Mark Porter & The Richard West Trio Rogerstone & Bassaleg Social Club, Bassaleg, Newport. 8pm, £10. Info [email protected]. A South Wales Big Band Society gig.
Open Mic Night NosDa, Cardiff. 7.30pm, free. Info 029 2037 8866. With a different guest host every week this month; tonight’s is The Freeway.

 

THURSDAY 31 JANUARY

John Nicholas + Fire Fences Hobo’s, Bridgend. 7-10pm, £5/£3 adv. Info www.hobosmusicvenue.com.
Llyr Williams Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £20-£24. Info 029 2039 1391. Recital of Schubert piano pieces.
Mad King Ludwig + Flowers For Freaks + Hunter From Fremonte + Telgate The Moon, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £6/£5 adv. Info [email protected].
Matt Owens Gwdihw, Cardiff. 7.30pm. Info 029 2039 7933. Remember Noah & The Whale? OK, remember their bass player? This is him now. Feel interested yet?
Paul Jones & Dave Kelly Acapela, Pentyrch, Cardiff. 8pm, £25. Info 029 2089 0862. Two members of The Blues Band.