Photograph: Scott Legato/Getty Images
1 The 1975
Frontman Matty Healy might have the narcissistic rock star act down to a T, but the 1975 are anything but showboating poseurs. In fact, by concocting a magnetic strain of pop, primarily derived – ironically – from 80s rock and 80s R&B, the Manchester group have established themselves as one of the most consistently brilliant acts in the world. This week, they play Parklife ahead of two Irish shows.
Parklife, Heaton Park, Manchester, 10 June; Ormeau Park, Belfast, 16 June; touring to 17 June
2 The Avalanches
Like Gorillaz, plunderphonica heroes the Avalanches are almost identity-less – something that allows them to splice genres, baffle mental filing cabinets and expand the possibilities of what pop music can sound like. Prepare for mind expansion as the Aussie crew hit the UK.
The Limelight, Belfast, 15 June; Olympia Theatre, Dublin, 16 June; touring to 24 June
3 Paramore
Paramore are a restless band: not only does this Tennessee outfit’s lineup tend to change on an album-by-album basis, over the years they’ve also swapped their original emo-punk for gleeful, synthy pop (tempered slightly by a still-angsty world view). Witness the evolution on their upcoming nationwide tour.
Olympia Theatre, Dublin, 15 June; Waterfront, Belfast, 16 June; touring to 22 June
4 Alt-J
Perhaps not the obvious choice to kickstart the O2’s 10th-birthday week of shows, the mumbly Leeds-formed band bring their strange and intricate indie to the world’s busiest music arena. Shows from Céline Dion, Jamiroquai and Ed Sheeran follow until 24 June in more predictably bombastic style.
The O2, SE10, 16 June
5 The Stone Roses
Manchester’s kings of blissed-out Brit rock may not have been able to resurrect the sublime quality of their 80s output on their two comeback singles to date, but this series of shows is sure to be transcendent nevertheless.
SSE Arena, Belfast, 13 June; touring to 24 June
