Music around MK: your guide to the week ahead

From banjo-fuelled rock to a Barbra Streisand tribute with a difference, there's plenty going on in and around Milton Keynes...
Hayseed DixieHayseed Dixie
Hayseed Dixie

Hayseed DixieNorthampton Roadmender, May 9Official creators of the genre ‘Rockgrass’, former ACDC tribute band Hayseed Dixie are back on the road with a 23 date UK stint. The hillbilly quartet are not only known for their clever combination of original material and reinterpreted R&B and Soul tracks, but also for their live shows being a treat for the eyes as well as the ears. The band has a great understanding of the dynamics of both modern rock and old school hillbilly style music, a pure genius creation that sounds like it shouldn’t work… but simply just does! Hayseed Dixie are an act you can only appreciate from a live, up-close experience. Their new album, ‘Free Your Mind… And Your Grass Will Follow’ is fresh to the racks and their fans include - bizarrely - Jimmy Fallon and Justin Timberlake. Go get ‘em!

www.roadmender.com

SaraBethThe Hind Hotel, Wellingborough, May 10Savvy, fun, creative, adventurous, determined and delightfully unexpected are a good start, but adjectives begin to run out well before facets of SaraBeth’s artistry do. She’s a force-of-nature Texan building a meaningful presence as a singer, songwriter and entertainer.facebook.com/SarabethTX

Emma JohnsonThe Stables, May 7Joined by piano and drums, Emma - and her clarinet - goes to town, exploring the roots of American jazz, while paying tribute to some of the the greatest clarinettists of all time including Bechet, Goodman and Shaw. Irresistably jazzy, in a show that displays an altogether sassier side to Emma.www.stables.org

The ShamesWolverton Top Club, May 6Three-piece mobThe Shames are promising ‘heartfelt original material with catchy riffs and bittersweet melodies,’ for those who fancy checking in with them.You’ll also hear Milton Keynes based creatives The Hallows (pic) and We Are Giants in exchange for your cash.FB: wolverton.topclub

Tankus The HengeThe Stables, May 7TTH are a London-based, five-wheeled, funk-fuelled rock ‘n’ roll jalopy that comes careering around the corner on a tranquil summer’s day, ruining the silence and disturbing the bats. Noise that mixes the best of British with some of the best of their yank counterparts. It’s filling.www.stables.org

Liza PulmanThe Stables, May 5Join the acclaimed singer and comedienne and one third of the satirical and much loved comedy trio Fascinating Aida as she returns with her third solo show, Liza Sings Streisand. The clue is in the title! This is no Stars in their Eyes date, nor a Channel 5 biopic, mind you. This is real talent.www.stables.org

My Vitriol Bedford Esquires , May 4Their recent Craufurd Arms date didn’t fire up the assembled, but MV will be returning to Esquires hoping to fare better. Join the mob held part responsible for spearheading the shoe-gazing resurgence, and their support band, heavy psychedelic rockers Herd Behaviour for Thursday fun.www.seetickets.com

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