ECHO’s area is very well served for live music, with more than a dozen venues hosting performances to suit many tastes.  Here are some upcoming highlights.

There’s another assortment of tribute acts at the Arches, starting on 7 March with a journey back in time to the original 1970s punk era, as the Sex Pistols Experience return, this time with support from Lizzie and the Banshees, who recreate the look and sound of Siouxsie Sioux and her band mates.  Travel back a further decade and a half on the 14^th, to experience the Fab Beatles, who promise the definitive sound of the Beatles, then it’s fast-forward to the ska revival of the early 1980s, when Ska Britannia perform a tribute to the likes of the Specials, Madness, the Beat and more, on 21 March.  Snowblind, purveyors of early Black Sabbath classics for die-hard fans appear on the 22^nd, followed on 28 March by Tina Turner tribute Tina and the City Limits Band.  The Arches’ last gig of the month sees a return visit from the Jam Pact, recreating the live energy of the Jam, on the 29^th.

The Arches also plays host to Fargo Tours’ Bands Night on 15 March, when raucous entertainment will be provided by Milton Keynes punks RSI (Routine Social Incompetence), Manchester’s space noise punk band Black Light Mutants, venue regulars The Army of Skanks and local post punk trio Bad Mouth Men.

Ditch the TV! organiser Malc Evans launches his new 3-track EP, Glimpses, at this month’s show, which is at the Maudslay on 28 March.  For those who can’t wait to hear his new material, the songs can be enjoyed online ahead of the launch.  Malc will be joined on the bill by ambient acoustic, post-rock musician Andy Mort, who performs in the guise of Atlum Schema, along with singer/songwriters Kerry Devine and Joe Dolman.

Warwick’s Americana duo K2Acoustic bring their combined wealth of playing experience to the Broomfield Tavern, Broomfield Place, on 29 March.  Expect to hear a fusion of rhythm and blues, country, bluegrass, roots-rock, jazz and funk.

For acts with a wider appeal, cover and party bands play each weekend at Carey’s and the Albany Club.  Available details are in the Diary of Events, near the back of this issue. Artists and venues: if you’d like your forthcoming gig included in a future issue, please let us know by email.