Missed out on Madonna this week? Angry after being stuck in a never-ending computer line and missing out on Adele? Fortunately, they are plenty more gigs coming up this month in London as worthy consolation prizes – from provocateur Peaches to dance anarchists the Prodigy.Here’s a pick of some of the top shows for December.Bloc PartyThis English indie band is building up to a new release, “Hymns,” due out in January, 2016. The group got off to an outstanding start with “Silent Alarm” back in 2005 and generated a lot of press as “the band most likely to...” Having gradually run down on this level of acclaim over a few years, the new single “The Love Within” shows that Bloc Party still has a lot of exciting musical ideas.Bloc Party plays St. John at Hackney Church on Friday December 4. Information: http://blocparty.com/#showsPaul WellerWeller’s career has been going for decades; the hair has variously grayed and gone blonde, the beat surrender goes on.The band that has helped him on tour is a strong collection of veterans who are able to take on both his newer material such as the recent album “Saturns Pattern” and his older hits too.His golden period in the Jam is now a long time ago, but some of these songs will remain classics.Paul Weller plays the Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith on Friday December 4 and Saturday December 5. Information: http://paulweller.com/The ProdigyThe archetypical “mean men” band – rather than “bad boy” group. The Prodigy looks scary, and sounds scarier on stage. Anyone who has met them will find they are different off stage – Maxim is a laid back guy who paints images of butterflies.Again, they have an album to promote; “The Day Is My Enemy” has much of the power of the Prodigy at its best, and builds on previous outings such as “The Fat of the Land” and “Invaders Must Die.” Their popularity is clear, given that they are doing two nights at the SSE Arena.The Prodigy plays the SSE Arena, Wembley, Friday December 4 and Saturday December 5. Information: http://www.theprodigy.co.uk/Peaches Peaches is an artist who continues to provoke – her titles, her image, her videos, her lyrics. Any way to deliver shock treatment, such as in live shows and her latest record, “Rub.”Peaches plays the Electric Ballroom in Camden Town on Sunday December 6. Information: http://peachesrocks.com/Duran Duran and SealThe 1980s band has survived to find a new lease of life as the decade becomes cool with hindsight. They have turned into elder statesman of rock. They may generate mixed views (the same may be said for Deep Purple and Simply Red, also at the O2 this month) but it’s hard to argue with chart success or admiration of those flocking to the shows.At the O2 on December 8. Information: http://duranduran.warnereprise.com/Mumford & SonsThe Mumfords have moved on from folk-rock to a slightly harder sound without sacrificing much of their trademark crossover tunefulness. The latest hits add to a catalogue now easily large enough to sustain a full show with successive hits.At the O2 on December 9 and 10. Information: http://www.mumfordandsons.com/Noel Gallagher’s High Flying BirdsGallagher is heeding his own words. “Don’t Look Back in Anger” was the Oasis song. Now he is not looking back at his former group – amid some suggestions both that something still might happen with Oasis, and his own strong denials. Instead he is looking forward, even with a title like “Chasing Yesterday.” That’s his band’s latest album, crowned as the best of the year at the “Q” Awards. It missed out on the Mercury Prize, of course, and not all fans think his latest material compares with the best of Oasis, but he is still writing fine songs and will doubtless take on some older tunes – if anyone is entitled to sing them, it’s the songwriter himself.The band plays the Royal Albert Hall on Thursday December 10. Information: http://www.noelgallagher.com/Lianne La HavasShe started out singing backing to Paloma Faith. Now La Havas, Lianne Charlotte Barnes to her family, is bigger than her mentor. Whether she matches another backer, Prince, remains to be seen: the Purple One famously sang an intimate concert in her London living room.Her latest album, “Blood,” references her Greek and Jamaican origins, and it includes hit “Unstoppable” which is bound to get an airing.Lianne La Havas plays the 02 Academy Brixton on dates from Monday December 14. Information: http://www.liannelahavas.com/Ellie Goulding and FriendsIn aid of Streets of London.Goulding, at 28, still has hopes of breaking America where her photogenic looks aren’t doing her any harm at all.At the Roundhouse on Wednesday December 16. Information: http://www.elliegoulding.com/UB40 and Steel PulseReggae ready for Christmas. Expect an evening packed with rock-steady beats and hits from the catalogues.The bands play the O2 Academy Brixton on Sunday December 20. Information: http://ub40.org/The DarknessThey started out as a band with a huge injection of humour into the kicking rock. The joke has endured and the music is as triumphant as ever. This is the conclusion of the “Blast of our Kind” tour.At the Roundhouse on December 20. Information: http://thedarkness.co.uk/Some tickets are still available at time of writing. If they technically sell out, it is worth checking for returns or trying other online agencies to check prices.
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