Everything from electropop act La Roux to veterans Iggy Pop and Brian Wilson – here is a pick of the best gigs in Europe for May.1Iggy PopIggy Pop, also known as the Godfather of Punk, is back in London. This is apt, with punk celebrating its 40th birthday. He will be playing the somewhat incongruously plush venue of the Royal Albert Hall. A couple of days later, he is in Paris and during May he also performs in Berlin and Stockholm.Pop is promoting one of his best albums in years, and reputedly his last, although it remains to be seen whether that will stays the case. The band that made that album “Post Pop Depression” – clever title there - features Josh Homme, better known for his work with Queens of the Stone Age, and Matt Helders from the Arctic Monkeys. They will join Pop onstage.Iggy Pop plays the Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, London SW7 2AP, on May 13; also Berlin in May 7 and Paris on May 15. Information here: http://iggypop.com2Brian WilsonBrian Wilson has been touring the world sporadically for the last few years. The man who was responsible for most of the Beach Boys’ greatest hits returns with shows that usually highlight some of his best-known works. For example he has performed albums such as the “Smile” sessions, and he also has showcased some of his more recent solo material such as the projects that pay tribute to George Gershwin and other modern greats. This time round, he will be running through one of the Beach Boys’ best-known collections, “Pet Sounds,” now celebrating its 50th anniversary, backed as ever with a crack band. Wilson tends to sit up high before his keyboard and stabs away at the notes while leaving others to help him out with some of the solos and other vocals. He remains something of a legend, who is worthwhile seeing if only to say that you have seen him.Brian Wilson plays the London Palladium, 8 Argyll StreetLondon W1F 7TF from Friday May 20 through Saturday May 22 2016. He also has 0ther dates planned across Europe. Information: http://www.brianwilson.com/tour3The Great EscapeThe Great Escape festival will light up Brighton again this year. We are into festival season and, as before, tickets are selling fast for a lineup that includes some 450 artists spread out in 35 venues and three days.This is a collection of primarily new artists in an event which has attracted the likes of Alabama Shakes in the past.It is hard to say who will be the best, although this year’s line-up includes Michael Kiwanuka from North London, whose first album in 2012, “Home Again,” received considerable acclaim.The Great Escape festival runs at venues across Brighton from May 19 through May 21. Information: http://greatescapefestival.com/artists-alpha/m/4Father John MistyJosh Tillman is now 34 and building a career with membership of multiple bands. He is becoming best-known under the pseudonym of Father John Misty. Anyone who knows the Fleet Foxes will have some idea of what to expect although he has been developing his own style with his sharp observations and acoustic guitar. He has been compared to the likes of John Grant and Bon Iver. Still, he is very much his own man, as can be heard on his new album “I Love You, Honeybear.” A measure of his success can be seen by the fact that he’s playing medium-size venues such as the Roundhouse in London, and dates this month also include performances in Paris.Father John Misty plays the London Roundhouse on May 18-20 and L’Alhamvra, 21 rue Yves Toudic, 10e Paris, on Monday May 23. Information http://www.fatherjohnmisty.com/tv/5Iron Maiden, NightwishIggy Pop is here again with one of those meltdown heavy-metal lineups that music fans will either love to death or hate with a vengeance. Iggy may be the main attraction but there are plenty of other strong performances: hard rockers such as Anthrax, Iron Maiden and Slayer.This is where Munich lays it on the line at its OlympiaPark, with other acts including Nightwish, Suicidal Tendencies, and Ghost.Rockavaria 2016 Festival takes place in München, Germany, on May 27-29, 2016. Information: http://www.rockavaria.de/6Elvis CostelloElvis Costello is touring Europe to promote his autobiography – one of the best by a rock star, one of the most literate of songwriters – and its accompanying album. “Unfaithful Music and Disappearing Ink” will appeal to all fans of a man seen in some circles as being a British Dylan. Those of us who followed Costello from his first records will see this either as praise or a slur. There will be many who would suggest that Costello’s output makes Dylan more like the American Costello, the man who claimed the throne with the album “King of America.” He remains a contrarian figure with a still-exceptional voice and back catalogue to beat pretty much everyone. Definitely recommended for those who have not seen, and probably recommended for anyone who has for that matter.Costello plays the London Palladium in May 10, 11 and 13 and Paris Olympia on May 17. Other dates include Rome on May 29. Information: http://www.elviscostello.com/7La RouxJust a quick mention in case you can get tickets, but they sold out very quickly on first offering. British electro-pop act La Roux is playing a one-off date at Under the Bridge in West London. The singer-songwriter has been working on her third album and this may give some clues as to whether she can live up to the success of its predecessors. “Let Me Down Gently” was one of the best tracks of electro-pop a couple of years ago and if she can surpass or even match that, the show will definitely be one to be at.La Roux plays at the Under the Bridges fifth birthday on Tuesday, May 10. Information: http://www.laroux.co.uk/
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