1 Whitney
This Chicago crew – who follow their Glasto appearance with a Brighton gig this week – make countrified indie that manages to be both heartfelt and archly retro. Louche riffs, smirking brass solos and vocals so falsetto they verge on the chipmunk combine into something by turns amusing, lush and emotionally gutting.
Glastonbury festival, nr Shepton Mallett, 24 June; Concorde 2, Brighton, 27 June
2 Adele
Billed as “The Finale”, a reference to the conclusion of her extended world tour rather than the end of Adele’s live performance career (although, in light of her infamous stagefright, that’s by no means impossible), this mini Wembley residency will allow fans to witness those lauded pipes in action.
Wembley Stadium, 28 June to 2 July
3 Popcaan
Jamaican dancehall don Popcaan can inject songs with sun-drenched party vibes (his star turn on Jamie xx’s I Know There’s Gonna Be (Good Times)), brooding edginess (Gorillaz’s haunting Saturnz Barz) and sultry grooves (Love Yuh Bad, as sampled on Drake’s Too Good). His versatile vocal takes centre-stage on this brief UK jaunt.
O2 Institute Birmingham, 30 June; touring to 2 July
4 Tinashe
Tinashe’s career trajectory may not have been particularly smooth (her new album remains unreleased by her label), but her steamy R&B is about as slinky as it gets. A winning guest spot on Tinie Tempah’s Text from Your Ex and recent stomping torch song Flame suggest world domination could still be on the cards.
Koko, NW1, 29 June
5 Levelz
Mancunian rap collective Levelz are sprawling in every sense: 14-men strong, they traverse genres with a range of MCs and beats that encompass dubstep, grime and hip-hop. This Saturday they’ll bring their unconventional energy to the Manchester international festival as part of Mary Anne Hobbs’ Dark Matter series of nights.
Gorilla, Manchester, 29 June
