Simon ParkinThis autumn is shaping up to be one to remember for live music with some exciting names already announced. SIMON PARKIN highlights the hot tickets.Simon Parkin

This autumn is shaping up to be one to remember for live music with some exciting names already announced. SIMON PARKIN highlights the hot tickets.

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Flavours of the month, some returning big names, the offbeat and the mainstream, the line-up of live music heading to Norwich this autumn is mouth-watering.

While the festival season is in full-swing - the V Festival at Chelmsford doesn't take place until the end of the month - you may still be feeling starved of live audio adrenaline at the moment. But fear not, because in a few weeks time a host of bands and artists are hitting the road and heading our way.

Arguably the biggest name stopping off in Norwich is Paul Weller, who is usually to be seen in venues much bigger than the UEA (indeed he was last seen in this region at a sell-out a date at Thetford), but he'll be on November 26/27 as part of a short UK tour of more intimate venues. Unsurprisingly, tickets were snapped up in a matter of hours, so if you've got one hidden away in your wallet you're one of the lucky ones.

Another big name who were quick to sell-out was an appearance by Editors (UEA, October 18), who fresh from festival appearances, including a rave reviewed slot at Latitude, will be promoting their soon-to-be released third album.

Other gigs you've already missed the boat for, and where you'll have to beg, borrow or steal a ticket (okay, not the later) include dates by the two chart-topping big names of UK hip hop. Dizzee Rascal (UEA, October 16) has enjoyed a string of hits, including most recently Bonkers and Holiday, while Tinchy Stryder has seen his planned Waterfront gig on September 27 prove so popular it has been moved to the UEA and still sold-out.

Tickets have also already long gone for Dizzee's Dance With Me collaborator Calvin Harris (UEA, October 15), who will arrive supported by Kanye West's buddy Mr Hudson, himself enjoying some success; and Scots rockers Biffy Clyro (UEA, November 11), currently one of the most influential UK bands around.

Metalheads will need to get their skates on too to avoiding missing out as St Albans-based post-hardcore outfit Enter Shikari (UEA, October 5), metalcore band Bring Me The Horizon (UEA, October 26) and Funeral For A Friend (UEA, October 29) are all selling fast. None get half the mainstream hype, but they're just as popular judging by ticket sales.

More hyped and equally looking as if its only a matter of time before the sold out signs go up - so get in quick - is electro-pop 80s-inspired synth queen La Roux (UEA, November 22), who is among the favourites for this year's Mercury prize, and troubadour Jamie T (UEA, October 7), who releases his second album Kings & Queens next month.

Fresh from his hip hop offshoot Mongrel, who played Norwich earlier this year, Jon McClure returns as the main man of Sheffield political funk-rockers Reverend & The Makers (UEA, October 22), who've just released their second album French Kiss in the Chaos. And after their storming main stage Latitude set last month, White Lies (UEA, November 23) will also be back as part of a proper UK tour.

Others who've been doing the rounds at this year's festivals, but who now you'll get a chance to judge for yourself include indie favourites The Rumble Strips (Waterfront, September 22), whose second album Welcome To The Walk Alone has enjoyed good reviews.

Unashamedly indie-poptastic The Maccabees (UEA, October 2) have gained a reputation for being one of the most intelligent and vibrant, fun bands around, as evidenced by their recent album Wall of Arms, while equally quirky are Noah and the Whale (Waterfront, October 4) who are juggling gig supporting their new album The First Days of Spring with screenings of an accompanying film.

After their intimate pre-latitude warm-up gig at the Puppet Theatre, off-beat indie-rockers Bombay Bicycle Club (Waterfront, October 5) return to the city for a more orthodox show. Many had predicted their debut album, I Had The Blues But I Shook Them Loose, would catapult them to big things but it hasn't happened so far.

A band who also knows a thing or two about being hyped are the Mobo award-winning panto grime stars N-Dubz (UEA, November 21), who return after their on-off appearance earlier this year with a rather unseasonal early Christmas party.

Former Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr will be among the band when The Cribs (UEA, September 24) pay visit, while others of note range from no nonsense indie types The Twang (Waterfront, October 11) to the funky sounds of the Noisettes (Waterfront, October 14) and Go:Audio (UEA, October 11).

To see next year's hot tips this year, try the NME Radar Tour (waterfront, October 12) which this year includes Golden Silvers, Marina & The Diamonds, Local natives and Yes Giantess.

Away from the guitar bands, Basshunter (UEA, October 25) will be creating some heavy vibes, reggae artist YT and jungle pioneers the Ragga Twins (Po Na Na, August 21) share a bill, Easy Star All-Stars (Waterfront, October 7) bring their dubbed up reggae Pink Floyd, Radiohead and Beatles covers, and Radio 1's hip hop guru Tim Westwood will be on the decks at the Waterfront on September 24.

As ever there will also be appearance by old stagers whose trips to Norfolk now seem to be annual pre-Christmas outings; including Ruby Turner (Playhouse, October 8); The Proclaimers (UEA, October 12); Beverly Knight (UEA, November 16); Gary Numan (UEA, November 29) and The Blockheads (UEA, December 16).

And in a real throw back to the heady days of the 1980s, Kajagoogoo (Waterfront, September 23) get back together for the first time in 25-years.

And if you're looking to try something a little bit different, you could do worse than one of Senegal's best kept musical secrets Daby Balde (Arts Centre, November 7) or the previously Mercury Prize nominated hook-heavy post-jazz outfit Portico Trio (Arts Centre, November 16).