With an easing of social restrictions on the horizon, music fans now have a lot to look forward to with the imminent return of live music. Some of this year’s big tours, including Lorde’s dates in May and June as well as Olivia Rodrigo’s shows in July, have sold out, but tickets remain for many more. Here are my top ten picks for 2022.
ALICE WOLF
A few tickets are still available for what should be a victory lap for the north Londoners who topped the charts for the first time with their third album, Blue Weekend. The quartet, fronted by Ellie Rowsell, got off to a shaky start last year when their live-streamed set from Glastonbury was hit by technical issues, but they made up for that setback with a strong return to the studio which saw them add hard-hitting electronics to their crunchy guitars. They are also in their element in front of an audience and will be eager to prove it when they take the stage at Glasgow’s Barrowland Ballroom on February 14. (wolfalice.fr
).
LAURA MVULA
The Birmingham soul singer reinvented herself as an 1980s-style R&B diva on last year’s superb Pink Noise LP, and she’ll be aiming to have fans dancing in the aisles when she kicks off a UK tour at the ‘O2 Ritz, Manchester, March 2 “I came out of the belly with shoulder pads,” she says. Fans should expect funky throwbacks in the soulful style of Earth Wind & Fire and Janet Jackson (ticketmaster.co.uk
).
SAM FENDERS
After seeing his song Seventeen Going Under become a top three single, a remarkable feat for an indie-rock act, the man nicknamed the Geordie Springsteen is ready for big things. Fender begin a UK tour on March 20 at Nottingham’s Motorpoint Arena, before taking their blue collar anthems to Wembley Arena in April and Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium (where they will support The Killers) in June. . He then performed his biggest solo show to date when he headlined in front of 40,000 fans in Finsbury Park, London on July 15 (samfender.com
).
DUA LIPA
The long wait to hear Dua Lipa’s album Future Nostalgia live will finally be over this spring, when the singer brings bangers such as Don’t Start Now, Break My Heart and Levitating to the stage. The album, released in March 2020, was a favorite of kitchen nightclubs in lockdown. Hearing it live for the first time should be quite an occasion. Dua’s tour begins at the AO Arena, Manchester on April 15 and includes two nights at The O2 in London (ticketmaster.co.uk
).
ED SHEERAN
Ed Sheeran’s ability to entertain huge outdoor crowds armed with nothing more than a guitar, a loop pedal and a few (admittedly very catchy) songs is uncanny. I attended his last tour, in 2018, in Manchester, where he treated the Etihad Stadium as if it were a small club, expertly gauging the public’s mood with his music and patter . His latest album, =, had more of a group feel, but he may well stick to a solo approach when he embarks on another stadium trek this summer. His tour – which includes four more nights in Manchester and five at Wembley Stadium – opens May 12 at Boucher Road Playing Fields, Belfast (edsheeran.com
).
ABBA
Fans won’t be able to catch Agnetha, Bjorn, Benny and Anni-Frid in the flesh for the first time in four decades, but the anticipation surrounding the supertroopers’ return as digital avatars of their younger selves and to stacked heels is palpable. Backed by a band fronted by former Klaxons keyboardist James Righton and Blackpool singer Little Boots, the ‘abbatars’ will perform eight shows a week at the purpose-built ABBA Arena in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London. Mass songs are guaranteed from May 27 (abbavoyage.com
).
LIAM GALLAGHER
The ex-Oasis ember will be back on familiar ground when he plays two nights at Knebworth Park – site of two iconic Britpop-era gigs of his former band – on June 3-4. Liam has relaunched his career since being solo for five years. ago, and plans to release a new album, C’Mon You Know, on the eve of the shows. Liam is also planning a hometown fixture at the Etihad, home ground of his beloved Manchester City, on June 1, as well as outdoor events in Glasgow and Belfast (ticketmaster.co.uk
).
Billie Eilish
The California singer returned to the drawing board after her book Where Do We Go? The world tour was cut short by the pandemic after just three US dates in 2020. Retreating to her Highland Park home with her brother Finneas, she recorded last year’s album Happier Than Ever, chronicling her growing pains against a background of subdued digital rhythms. After leaving her teenage years behind her, she returns to the stage. There are a few places left for a UK tour which starts June 3 in Belfast and includes six nights at the O2, London (livenation.co.uk
).
DIANA ROSS
An appearance in the coveted Sunday Legends slot at Glastonbury is the crowning achievement of Diana Ross’ twice-delayed return to the UK. With songs as gorgeous as Baby Love, I’m Coming Out and Chain Reaction in her repertoire – and a voice that stopped Motown boss Berry Gordy in his tracks when he first heard it – the diva promises quality and elegance dressed in glitter as its tour begins June 10 at Cardiff Castle (ticketmaster.co.uk
).
EAGLES
Hotel California is also taking bookings for a summer season which opens on June 20 when the Eagles check in at Liverpool’s iconic Anfield stadium. Core members Don Henley, Joe Walsh and Timothy B Schmit will be joined by Vince Gill and Deacon Frey to perform this 1976 hit and other West Coast rock classics. The tour also includes shows in Edinburgh, Dublin and Hyde Park in London (eagles.com
).
