Thease aren’t the real Blues Brothers but they’re the nearest thing to them. They are even going to have as a guest star James Brown (what?). I loved the original Blues Brothers so this must be alot of fun so i’m sure you’ll enjoy it and why not it just good rhythm and blued and soul music for everyone and anyone.

The real and first Blues Brothers were an American blues and soul revivalist band founded in 1978 by Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi as part of a musical sketch on Saturday Night Live. Belushi and Aykroyd, respectively in character as lead vocalist “Joliet” Jake Blues and harmonica player/vocalist Elwood Blues, fronted the band, which was composed of well-known and respected musicians. The band made its debut as the musical guest on the April 22, 1978, episode of Saturday Night Live.

Jake & Elwood – The Best Blues Brothers Show In The World…EVER!!! will be at the Palace Theatre Friday 21st May 2010 – 7.30pm and tickets are available from here.

“Oh you pretty Chitty bang bang, Chitty Chitty bang bang, we love you. And our pretty Chitty Bang Bang, Chitty chitty bang bang loves us too.”

The amazing story about a magical flying car comes to life again on stage, to be exact on the Palace Theatre stage. This musical was based on the 1968 film starring Dick Van Dyke (Bert in Mary Poppins) and Sally Anne Howes with the script written by Roald Dahl and Ken Hughes. Just by giving out those names you know that the film was great but if you live it by going to the theatre it’ll be an incredible experience.

The inventions of Caractacus Potts and the story of his magical car will be on stage from the 27th April – 15th May 2010 and tickets are available from here.

Riverdance is on their farewell tour celebrating their 15th aniversary. This amazing theatrical dance show which consists mainly of irish stepdancing and folk music.

The first time Riverdance came to us was at the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest when they celebrated 50 shows. It was voted that it was the best interval act in the history of the contest. This first performance was danced by Michael Flatley who was the original coreographer and writer to Riverdance and other musical theatre like the amazing Lord of the Dance where he appeared as the Lord of the Dance. I remember watching Lord of the Dance at Home with my mouth wide open in awe, it is something to go and see even though Flatley isn’t in Riverdance anymore, onstage or off.

It’ll be a shame to see them go but lets hope that they do come back as many have come and gone.

Riverdance will be at the Palace Theatre from Monday 12th of April to Sunday 17th April 2010 and tickets are available from here.

Norah Jones is on tour promoting her new album called The Fall. I recentley bought her album as a new discovery to my collection and found that it was my cup of tea. Even though I have just come across her you proably know at least one of her 4 albums.

Norah Jones made her debut album in 2002 and has already won 12 Grammys plus more awards and many more nominations. Her music which includes different types of styles like Jazz, blues, pop, soul, folk and country has gone round the world.

Norah Jones will be at the Apollo Theatre on Monday 21st June 2010 – 7.30pm and tickets are available here.

Michael Bolton is on tour with his new album One World One Love and is stopping by the Apollo theatre in December. He will visit Irlend, UK and Germany apart from the  USA

Michael has been in the music business since 1975 he has sung with names such as Celine Dion, Pavarotti, Ray Charles and BB King. His amazing songwriting skills gave Barbara Streisand, Kiss, Kenny Rogers, Bob Dylan and many more great songs.

This well known American singer is known for his soft rock ballads and his great tenor vocals. He began in the hard rock band Blackjack where the guitarist Bruce Kulick later went as lead guitarist in KISS during 1984-1996.

Michael Bolton will be at the Apollo Theatre Sunday 5th December 2010 – 7:30pm and tickets are available from here.

Here is his new song from the album which I quite like called Just One Love.

Katie Melua will be in Manchester in December promoting her new album The House .

She is a great British musician like many others who always has her guitar in hand.  Her indie music ever since the first album Call of the Search which launched her into fame has made great experiences with every song she has written.

I loved the first Cd’s so this one should also be a good one. In the new album it has been said that we are going to hear a different Katie Melua as she has announced on her site.  She is exploring new possibilities without leaving her jazz as she continues evolving as an artist in this CD which comes out in May.

She’ll be in the Manchester Apollo Theatre on Saturday 4th December 2010 – 7pm and tickets are avaliable from here.

Yesterday I was asked to give a mention to a relatively new band from Brooklyn, who are on tour in the UK promoting their new album “Rush”, which is an interesting play on words!

Obviously I not into just putting up a standard press release, I have to listen to their songs. On this occasion I have to say I was hooked within seconds, I am convinced they will go down well with the student crowd in Manchester, with their earthy quality inde feel.

The band will be playing at the Royal Northern College of Music on the 10th September 2009, supporting Neko Case  follow this link to book

I have a suspicion that we will be hearing more of this band in the UK in the coming months, particularly when they officially launch the Album “Rush” here in the UK at the beginning of October.

So to get a feeler I have embedded the video below.

The Saw Doctors a Irish folk-rock band from County Galway, arrive in Manchester in December who take their name from craftsmen who once travelled from sawmill to sawmill sharpening and repairing saws.

The Saw Doctors have a keen following in Ireland and they hold the record for Ireland’s biggest-selling single of all time, “I Useta Lover, in 1990 the video of which is below.

As Irony would have it after recording “To win just once” band member Tony Lambert won the lottery close to 1 million Euro, and decided to leave the band, well do you blame him.

The band have a superb mix of music style, not afraid to poke fun at society.

The will be at the Manchester Apollo on December the 11th and tickets are available from here.

Lily Allen, will be in Manchester in November, by which time I am sure she would have sorted her insomnia.

She has now gone up in my estimation in her love for the game of cricket as per her comments on the Sun, although her motives are not what I would class as a true aficionado, but none the less all positive.

I have to admit I am fascinated by her career, I think it is the way she has used social media to build her reputation and this success has pushed her to the front of the current pop scene, as we are all still coming to terms with Facebook and Twitter.

So if you are a fan I recommend you follow her exploits on Twitter.

To see her in concert she will be in Manchester on Tuesday 17th & Wednesday 18th November 2009 – 7pm and tickets are available from here.

I have to admit I am still trying to catch up with the various acts coming to Manchester, well it will teach me a lesson for letting it slip!

So as I cherry pick the new bands I have included the Ricky Gervais tour Science, which is a fairly open subject. How on earth can he turn it into comedy I have no idea, but one thing is for sure it will be brilliant.

You may have guessed it I happen to be a fan of his embarrassing humour, maybe it is because at times it reflects some of the foolish things I have done or that it reminds me of people I have known over the years. Then again the best comedians have this wonderful ability to see something funny in just ordinary day to day life, Still you already knew that.

Saying that one topic he could have a field day with is the Recruitment Industry, although he did touch on it with a sketch for Microsoft, basically how not to do job appraisals. Excellent if I must say, being an ex recruiter of course plenty of potential I think.

The tour will be in Manchester on Wednesday 11th to Friday 13th November 2009 – 7.30pm and tickets can be bought here.

In addition I would recommend visiting his own website or even following his blog, strange he hasn’t succumbed to Twitter yet!