The 10 biggest pop and rock gigs to see this summer
AC/DC
One of the greatest heavy rock bands of all time power up again. Only guitarist Angus Young is still rocking live from the original line-up, with long-serving Geordie Brian Johnson plugging in his hearing aid to howl like a Banshee.
Wembley Stadium, London (acdc.com), and July 7
Hozier
A heavyweight lyricist, nimble guitarist and heart-soaring vocalist, the Irish singer-songwriter is reaping the rewards of following his own idiosyncratic path through soulful folk rock. His Too Sweet has been one of the hits of the year, number one all over the planet.
Lytham Festival, Lytham Green, Lancashire (hozier.com), and touring
Stevie Nicks
With her witchy hippy look, careworn voice and flowing lyricism, the US singer-songwriter has had by far the biggest solo career of Fleetwood Mac’s alumni. With the Mac effectively at an end, Nicks promises even more Fleetwood songs in her solo sets.
Ovo Hydro Arena, Glasgow (stevienicksofficial.com), and touring
Garbage
Scottish singer Shirley Manson became a fierce 1990s alt rock icon fronting this US supergroup of grunge producers, with such snappily contrary anthems as Stupid Girl, Queer and Only Happy When it Rains.
TRNSMT festival, Glasgow Green (tickemaster.co.uk), and touring
Kylie Minogue
Kylie is having a very good vintage pop period. She wowed Glastonbury last year, scored a huge US hit and successful Vegas residency. Her only UK date this year is sure to be glorious.
BST Hyde Park (bst-hydepark.com)
Latitude festival
Suffolk’s mini-Glastonbury is a family-friendly favourite, with lots of art, comedy and craft activities in bucolic surroundings. Headliners this year are electro rockers Kasabian, chill out trio London Grammar and old romantics Duran Duran.
Henham Park, Suffolk (latitudefestival.com) until July 28
Justin Timberlake
With a drink-driving arrest added to his resume, the 43-year-old former boy band pin-up and solo superstar will attempt to shrug off any hints of mid-life crisis on his first world tour in five years. When it comes to smartly syncopated, tautly choreographed and gorgeously crooned funk and disco pop, Timberlake is hard to beat.
Utilita Arena, Birmingham (justintimberlake.com), and touring
Billy Joel
The vintage piano man’s only UK date this year. There have been hints that Joel is working on his first new album of songs in 39 years, but it is the old favourites that will have the crowd singing.
Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales (billyjoel.com)
All Points East
An always interestingly curated series of one day gigs in London’s Victoria Park, the pick of this year’s packed bills are led by supercool Canadian DJ Kaytranada, socially conscious UK rapper Loyle Carner, dazzling US singer-songwriter Mitski and New York electro punks LCD Soundsystem.
Victoria Park, London E9 (allpointseastfestival.com), until Aug 25
Reading and Leeds festivals
Something of a teenage rite of passage for school leavers, these twinned festivals can be a bit rough and ready but have bills packed full of great music. Main attractions this year are US chanteuse Lana Del Rey on her only UK performance, and Liam Gallagher giving it loads. Plus Blink 182, Raye, The Prodigy, Fontaines DC and the UK’s favourite DJ Fred Again.
Richfield Avenue, Reading and Bramham Park, Wetherby (readingandleedsfestival.com), until Aug 27
