Highlights - Michael Ball, Blue and more

A real treat for jazz fans, in the shape of Kit Downes (keys), Josh Blackmore (drums) and Chris Montague (guitar) – aka Troyka. All great artists in their own right, the three-piece have a fanbase across Europe, with a style reminiscent of Polar Bear or Acoustic Ladyland.

Rock
Wolf Alice
O2 Academy, Oxford
Saturday
Sold out

At first glance, Wolf Alice’s Ellie Rowsell may look like a sweet young thing, but she has enough raw energy, talent and feisty rock attitude to see off any challengers to her pack. Behold one of the biggest buzz bands of 2015. No wonder tickets can’t be had for love nor money.

Pop
Stereo Kicks
O2 Academy, Oxford
Wednesday
Tickets £12.50, plus fee, from ticketmaster.co.uk

Having cut their teeth on The X Factor Arena Tour, Barclay Beales, Chris Leonard, Casey Johnson, Jake Sims, James Graham, Tom Mann, Charlie Jones and Reece Bibby are on their first headline tour. The finalists have been tipped as the next One Direction. Bearing in mind recent events for 1D, their time may have come. The band said: “We are so excited to be headlining our own tour. It is a dream come true and it is all down to our amazing fans. We can’t wait to see you all.”

Pop
Blue
New Theatre, Oxford
Tuesday
Tickets £28.90, plus fees, from atgtickets.com

All Rise for Blue! What do you mean, you thought they’d disappeared? Harking back to distant 2001, they may be a little more vintage than the likes of Stereo Kicks, but they’ve kept their fans and, importantly, voices. Lee Ryan, Antony Costa, Duncan James and Simon Webbe show us what earned them three number one albums and saw them collaborate with Elton John and Stevie Wonder, and representing the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest.

Show tunes
Michael Ball
New Theatre, Oxford
Wednesday
Tickets atgtickets.com

The doyen of the West End returns with his If Everyone Was Listening tour. Look forward to a trip through his songbook with the faves thrown in for our listening pleasure.