Familiar as the frontman in the Scottish rock band Idlewild, Roddy Woomble arrives in Norwich supporting his second solo album. Plus Dove & Boweevil, Stiff Little Fingers and a DJ visit from Aussie rock/dance giants Pendulum.

RODDY WOOMBLE

Norwich Arts Centre, March 26

Familiar as the frontman in the Scottish rock band Idlewild, Roddy Woomble is also a celebrated solo songwriter and performer. He arrives in Norwich supporting his follow up to his acclaimed 2006 solo debut My Secret is My Silence with a brand new album of songs.

A native of Irvine – small-town Scotland writ large – Woomble co-founded Idlewild in 1995, naming the band for the quiet haven featured in his then-favourite book, Anne of Green Gables.

Given that the NME likened their early punk-fuelled sound to 'a flight of stairs falling down a flight of stairs', the name was initially somewhat ironic, but gradually came closer as Idlewild progressed through sweeping melodic rock to rootsy, melodic sparseness.

Extending that softer lyrical vein of Roddy's songwriting, My Secret Is My Silence won rave reviews across both the rock and folk press. He was also a key instigator behind the acclaimed 2007 album Ballads of the Book, bring-ing together leading Scottish poets and musicians to collaborate on new songs.

The new album, recorded on the isle of Mull and produced by John McCusker will be released this spring. Support from Leah Abramson

t Further listening: www.roddywoomble.com

DOVE & BOWEEVIL

Norwich Arts Centre, March 30

Norfolk is currently a hot bed for blues talent what with the award winning Oli Brown and the proliferation of local original blues talent such as Ron Sayer, Sol Philcox and Norwich-based duo Dove and Boweevil.

Made up of Lauren Dove and Mark 'Boweevil' Howes who emerged from local funk band Mondatta Funk, they have earned a fine reputation over the past three years.

Dove and Boweevil have earned a fine reputation over the last three years as a 'refreshing' acoustic blues and soul act who are soon to be releasing their debut album Getting Somewhere.

Drawing inspiration from the vast landscapes of Norfolk as well as their travels of the USA where they performed last year, the album contains the soaring tones of Lauren Dove on vocals and the earthy sound of Mark 'Boweevil' Howes on slide and acoustic guitar.

Their music blends hollerin' original blues with gospel-influenced ballads and Stax soul guitar rhythms. There will be

cabaret seating available, New Orleans-style cocktails and a secret showing of their own documentary, as well as support from Lisa Ambrose.

t Further listening: www.myspace.com/doveandboweevil

STIFF LITTLE FINGERS

Waterfront, March 31

Stiff Little Fingers return to the Waterfront celebrating their 34th year.

Prior to becoming Stiff Little Fingers, Jake Burns, Henry Cluney, Gordon Blair and Brian Faloon, Drums, were playing in a Deep Purple cover band, Highway Star. However formed in 1977, the Belfast band are true punk originals with singles that have included the punk classic Alternative Ulster.

Like many punk outfits they struggled to find a new sound once punk evolved into new wave. Their Now Then album of 1982 alienated many of SLF's punk followers with its pop sound, and despite some glowing critical re-views, never got the recognition it deserved. The band split the following year.

Reformed and still fronted by the iconic Burns, their music continues to combine the energy of punk with infec-tious hooks and a delivery that rings of honesty and commitment.

The band were due to be joined for this date by Spear Of Destiny but sadly they will now no longer be playing. Support instead comes from Lost In Plastic.

t Further listening: www.slf.com

PENDULUM

UEA, March 31

Fresh from being announced as the surprise headline act to open this year's Bestival on the Isle of Wright, Pendu-lum's spin-off career as DJs brings them to the UEA.

Plenty of bands have tried to meld rock and dance, but barely a handful have managed to create music that blends different forms so seamlessly. The Australian band's last album Immersion hit number one in the UK charts and a new and much anticipated record in the works.

The Prodigy, Reprazent and Justice have trodden similar paths, but they didn't consummate their marriage of styles with an album whose title nods to a rock touchstone — Pendulum's second album, In Silico, is an acknowledgment of Nirvana's In Utero — and which emphasises its makers' attempts to fuse human input with machine.

One of the biggest electronic bands in the world, the drum'n'bass rock act put on amazing live shows whether they are doing a full live set or merely spinning the discs as here. They will no doubt be spinning some top drawer filthy beats, scorching riffs and heavy sub action. Expect an energising and electric set.

t Further listening: www.pendulum.com

SOUNDS IN THE CITY

MARCH 25

Lost? (pop-punk) — B2

The Dark Decadence Tour: feat. Hardcore Superstar + more (metal) — Waterfront

Tendahooks (rock) — Brickmakers

Whole Lotta Hair rock) — King Edward VII

Tattooed Cow (rock) — Blueberry

The Cream Horns (rock/blues) — Walnut Tree Shades

The Fuzz (indie) — Beluga

Them Harvey Boys (bluegrass) — Brewery Tap

Honeydripper (R&B) — Wild Man

Siren (rock) — Lakenham Cock

3 Up 2 Down — Trowel & hammer

Johnny Jump (R&B) — Silver Road Cottage

Barry Lee (pop/easy) — Fiveways

Centre Stage (open mic) — Ten Bells

MARCH 26

Courtney Pine (jazz) — Playhouse

Roddy Woomble (rock/indie) — Arts Centre

Dirty DC (rock) — Brickmakers

Dirty Little Habit (rock) — King Edward VII

Money Shot (rock) — Blueberry

Outhablues (blues) — The Stanley

Storm (rock) — Boundary

Metal Lust (metal) — B2

Honeydripper (R&B) — Eaton Cottage

Daffy & The Alien (rock) — The Leopard

National Image (indie/rock) — Golden Star

Red Hot Rockers (rock'n'roll) — Sprowston Sports & Social

San (rock) — Angel Gardens

Barry Lee (pop/easy) — Heath House

Take Two — Lakenham Cock

MARCH 27

Japanese Relief Fund Alldayer (local bands) — Marquee

Fourplay (rock/4pm) — Boundary

Ladybird & The Larks (folk/pop) — Brewery Tap

Floating Greyhounds (rock) — Lakenham Cock

Lee Vasey Big Band (12pm) — Brickmakers

The Gas Hill Mob — Silver Road Cottage

Jade (acoustic/3pm) — Blueberry

MARCH 28

Sepectro: feat. Machinedrum (electronic) — Arts Centre

Jazz N Jam (open mic) — Blueberry

Sessions (open mic) — Brickmakers

MARCH 29

Eastern Straynotes (swing/jazz) — Arts Centre

Blind Lemons Band (soul) — Brickmakers

Open Mic — Steam Packet

MARCH 30

Dove & Boweevil + Lisa Ambrose (folk/indie) — Arts Centre

Don't Spook The Horse (Neil Young tribute) — Olives Bar

Lee Vasey & Friends — Trowel & Hammer

Pure Acoustic (open mic) — Brickmakers

MARCH 31

Stiff Little Fingers (punk) — Waterfront

Pendulum (DJ set) — UEA

Sugar Rush (rock/indie)— Brickmakers

8th Time Luckie (metal) — Marquee

Albert Cooper's Jazz Life: feat. Chris Cooper Trio (jazz) — Rumsey Wells

Ghostriders Western Club: feat. Steve Key (country) — Royal British Legion

Laurence & Guests (acoustic) — B2

Honeydripper (R&B) — Walnut Tree Shades

Crusin' For A Blusin' (blues) — The Rose

Club Acoustica — Brewery Tap

Tom Paley (banjo) — Olives Bar