Gigs coming up in the Bournemouth area this week

Catch Pennies from heaven

New Xpress Music continues to bring top-notch folk acts to the area on May 17, and the visitors to The Portman on Ashley Road in Boscombe are no exception.

Jez Lowe And The Bad Pennies return by popular demand, with all members of the group - who are exceptional performers in their own right - performing under the lugubrious tones and songs of singer/songwriter Lowe.

Tickets will go fast, so turn up well before 8.30pm.

Solid Salisbury

The Solid Air phenomenon transplants itself to the Salisbury Festival over the weekend.

The Solid Air stage will be at the Cathedral Hotel from May 17 until Sunday night and feature some of the top bands from the area including Hustler, Absolute Darlings and Dubheart.

Check the listings pages for full line-up and times.

Iron Paul

Original Iron Maiden vocalist Paul DiAnno will also be at the Salisbury Festival, playing the Black Pig on Milford Street on May 17. Support comes from faithful local regulars DNA.

Santana style

The sounds of Santana come to Mr Smiths on Poole Hill on May 18 as La Vida Santana attempts to recreate more than 30 years of the guitar legend.

It's tricky stuff to pull off convincingly, but luckily the band features top musicians including Colin Stone and Paul Roberts, who also fills in the time as frontman for The Stranglers!

Winter lament

A triple bill of snotty-nosed noiseniks hit Mr Smiths on May 17 as Philter, UDI and Badpenny team up.

UDI have been busy boys recently, with their tastefully named Vicars & Tarts six-track EP now on sale. Featuring five self-penned tracks by the bands - of which opening track Winter Gardens By The Sea is an ode to the soon-to-be-lost concert venue - as well as a cover of Next To You by The Police. You can get hold of a copy by popping into Big Brother records in Parkstone or Strummin' Monkeys Guitar Emporium in Moordown.

UDI return to Mr Smiths next Thursday alongside Orco and Vext, and then join up with The Lillettes, Meatdraw and Guerilla Tapestry at a band bash at The Gander on Saturday, June 1.

Birthday fun

Pronghorm prepare for their 10th anniversary celebrations this weekend with a gig on May 17 at The Gander on Holdenhurst Road and another at the Tatnam in Poole on May 18.