Until 25th MABEL (UK tour)
Following the success of last year’s ‘Finders Keepers’, young star Mabel has been on a steady rise with banger after banger; collaborating with Not3s on his high charting tune ‘My Lover’ as well as on her own single, ‘Fine Line’. Now, she’ll be bouncing off of an international tour with Harry Styles to her own set of UK dates – and with a growing discography of *fire* tracks, each show is sure to be a great time. Tickets from £13.75, ticketmaster.co.uk
25th: Alexander O’Neal: The Resurrected Tour (London)
Soul legend Alexander O’Neal concludes his UK-wide tour in London on the 25th, following dates in Glasgow (6th), Salford (7th), Hull (8th), Southend (18th), Bristol (19th), Birmingham (20th) and Leicester (24th). With O’Neal performing his most recent tracks, take this as a rare opportunity to experience some genuine talent, first shared in the 80s, on stage. Oh – and the classics are also on the set list, so warm up those vocal chords to sing along to the likes of ‘If You Were Here Tonight’, ‘Fake’ and ‘Criticize’. The X Factor’s Jay James supports. Tickets: seetickets.com
26th, 7.30pm: ACTing Up! (RichMix, London)
East London’s dynamic duo Ashley J and Tee J present their hit show – ACTing Up, a live, improvised comedy show where the audience judge the best performances. Both teams will compose new songs, create satirical TV shows and devise sketches and audiences are asked to select the best team on the night. Starring ACTing Up creators Ashley J and Tee-J, with DJ Bradley Charles as the umpire. The line-up features some of the finest talent from East London including Danielle Vitalis, Francis ‘Don’ Joani, Kiell Smith-Bynoe, Monique Campbell, Rosie-Marie Christian. Tickets £10, £8 conc. www.richmix.org.uk, email: boxoffice@richmix.org.uk
BUY TICKETS NOW! 5th – 7th MAY BREAKIN’ CONVENTION (London)
This May Bank Holiday will see the 15th anniversary What’s Get up, get out and enjoy the finest events this month, all around the celebration of the renowned Sadler’s Wells project, Breakin’ Convention – an unmissable celebration of hip-hop and the surrounding culture. Hip-hop theatre pioneer Jonzi D has put together an extended programme, which looks back at the festival’s achievements throughout the years as well as the future ahead. As well as world-class dance crews such as Myself Dance Company (pictured), as well as the Olivier-winning Boy Blue Entertainment, the programme also features live music (Jazz:refreshed being one notable act). Book now to avoid losing out on something very special! Tickets: Standing – £15; seats – £24 (£17 concessions) www.sadlerswells.com
Previous events…
3rd – 10th EN VOGUE (UK tour)
The 90s R&B legends are BACK! After 14 years, En Vogue is back with not just a UK tour, but a brand new album. This month, the iconic group will release their seventh studio album, Electric Café, which features the likes of rapper Snoop Dogg. The tour will include songs from the new album but also all the greatest hits such as ‘Hold On’, Whatta Man and ‘Free Your Mind’. Tickets from £37.40, ticketmaster.co.uk
12th – 20th LOTTO BOYZZ (UK tour)
Birmingham duo Lotto Boyzz have made a real impact within the new sub genre of ‘Afro-Bashment’ since their debut single ‘Hitlist’ in mid-2016, and On now with recent hit single ‘No Don’. After supporting J Hus and Mist on tour, the Boyzz are now dropping a few gig dates of their own – catch em’ while you can! Tickets: £12.65, ticketmaster.co.uk
21st, 22nd & 23rd FAITH EVANS (London, Birmingham & Manchester)
Seven-time Grammy nominee Faith Evans returns to the UK to showcase her new album, The King and I – which, interestingly, is an LP of duet-like recordings with late husband, the Notorious B.I.G. (aka Biggie Smalls). Fans can expect to experience an incredible performance of hits old and new, and is a rare opportunity to see one of R&B’s leading ladies live. Tickets from £25, seetickets.com
Words by Ngina Mwendo
