1 Lana Del Rey
The “gangster Nancy Sinatra” of modern pop is unflappable in her pursuit of Lynchian romance, but her latest record, Lust for Life, is also armed with eerie trap, gothic decadence, Sean Lennon, Stevie Nicks and the sort of track titles (Coachella – Woodstock in My Mind, Summer Bummer) that distil a trashy Californian charm.
Echo Arena, Liverpool, 22 August; The SSE Hydro, Glasgow, 23 August
2 V festival
If there’s a festival home for glossy populist acts such as Pink, Craig David, Clean Bandit, Jay-Z and Ellie Goulding to play untroubled by naked hippy hugs then it’s V, the UK’s most glamorous split-site event. Also present: Madness, future-pop makers Raye and Mabel, the cast of Towie and some on-site vajazzling … probably.
Hylands Park, Chelmsford; Weston Park, Shifnal, 19-20 August
3 Deap Vally
Guitar’n’drums duo Lindsey Troy and Julie Edwards get asked about feminism nearly as much as they do their music, so they decided to poke fun at reductive journalists everywhere by naming their second record Femejism. Watch as these filthy, funny songs are summoned to life on stage.
Secret venue, E8, 23 August; The Haunt, Brighton, 24 August; Reading festival, 25 August
4 Bros
Debt, bust-ups and Vegas residencies – the 28 years since the twin heartthrobs last performed together have been tumultuous. Their comeback looks to be similarly erratic – four other dates have been cancelled due to “logistical circumstances beyond their control”. Jump on Matt and Luke Goss’s nostalgia trip before it’s too late.
The O2, SE10, 19-20 August
5 Muse
Matt Bellamy’s recent claim that he may have been abducted by aliens makes sense when you consider the trio’s cosmic stage set-up. Expect drones, smoke machines, grand pianos, apocalyptic anthems and escapist bombast at this charity one-off – Doctor Who on steroids, basically.
O2 Shepherds Bush Empire, W12, 19 August; Leeds festival, 25 August
