Aerial Salad play The Social on June 25 [Chris Bethell]

THIS week we bring you a classically trained Mexican American tattoo artist, a viral Japanese techno sensation with the best name of the week, reimaginings of the works of a classic Belgian musician, afro-pop, Brazilian folk, nostalgia from 80s and 90s musicians bringing back their best and introducing their latest, Barbican being taken over by a groundbreaking indie record label, a trio of music heavyweights combining to weave magic, none other than Alice Cooper descending on Upper Street plus a whole lot of home grown talent. The next fortnight’s selections are testament to the value of mixing of cultures and the ability of people to travel, collaborate and share their talents – enjoy!

• The Union Chapel is often the place for memorable performances; the candlelit venue provides a (not strictly) hallowed environment for artists and audiences to share unique moments. So, when Alice Cooper rolls into town to stage an intimate event there on July 24, expect a night to remember. Limited to 900 fans and with promises of exclusive first-listen album playback, a “deep-dive” interview with the band, and a rare audience Q&A hosted by Tim Rice, the globally live streamed event celebrates The Original Alice Cooper Group’s historic reunion and the release of their first studio album in more than 50 years – The Revenge of Alice Cooper (out July 25). Plus fans will get a special commemorative print with each ticket.

• Before that, see what happens when three respected distinctive musicians – Butler Blake and Grant – team up for a very special performance at Union Chapel on June 13. The men in question; Suede’s Bernard Butler, Love and Money’s Norman Blake and Teenage Fanclub’s James Grant, who have spun three years of friendship and impromptu performances into their eponymous LP released in March.

• Manchester’s Aerial Salad Play The Social on June 25 ahead of the release of their brand new five-track EP Roi de l’herb (out June 27), which may sound to the Francophones out there like a nod to snitches or smokers but is in fact named after their track King of The Grass, a reference to bassist Mike Wimbo who works on Rochdale Council’s greens team chopping down hedges and mowing lawns.

• Japan’s viral techno synth sensation Atsuo The Pineapple Donkey – who started playing music to promote his humble five-bed hostel – brings his thrilling festival-pleasing set to Jazz Cafe on June 18 – not to be missed! With support from Kristina May.

• Were you lucky enough to win the ballot for The Maccabees’ tiny charity show for MS Society? The recently reformed band, who are used to playing much larger venues, play The Dome on June 20.

• Chris Helme, frontman of John Squire’s much-lauded but short-lived post Stone Roses band The Seahorses, plays his latest album World of My Own to a seated audience at Dingwalls on June 14 – where he will also play some Seahorses tracks.

• Head to Barbican on June 14 where Warp Records presides over an almighty all-dayer featuring performances, immersive staging and collaborations across multiple Barbican venues throughout the day culminating in a one-night only concert in the Hall. Look out for performances from Evian Christ, Battles, Clarissa Connelly, Mark Leckey, Seefeel, Bullyache, Slauson Malone and more.

• Singer Sophie B Hawkins – who may be remembered by those of a certain age for hits Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover and As I Lay Me Down celebrates the 30th anniversary of album Whaler at Jazz Cafe on June 16. Support from Belinda O’Hooley. Melissa Etheridge, another singer from the same era, plays Union Chapel on  June 17 with support from Niall McNamee.

• Tattoo artist (known for her work on LA Ink), beauty entrepreneur and classically trained musician Kat Von D plays Scala on June 17 + Prayers.

• Dead Belgian, who have been reimagining the songs of Jaques Brel since 2007, return to Cecil Sharp House with their latest reworking of nine of the Belgian musician’s classic songs from their album The Age of The Idiot on June 17.

• Looking for something different to do? Check out new shuffleboard bar Electric Shuffle, which has just opened in Kings Cross.

• Afro-pop champion dubbed ‘The Golden Voice of Africa’, Salif Keita plays KOKO on June 19 in support of his new acoustic album So Kono.

• Latin GRAMMY-winning Brazilian folk-pop duo Anavitória aka Ana Caetano and singer Vitória Falcão, one of Brazil’s most streamed acts, play Barbican on June 23 with a full live band. 

More upcoming gigs

JUNE 13: Hothouse Flowers, The Forum; The Duke Spirit, 100 Club;

JUNE 13-14: The Blockheads, 229; Pulp, The 02;

JUNE 14: Shonen Knife, The Garage; Survive Said The Prophet, The Camden Assembly; The Clock Winders, Green Note;

JUNE 15: Holly Penfield, Camden Club; The Men Who Knew Too Much, The Camden Club; Naseer Shamma, Barbocan; Joeboy Lavida Experience Concert, HERE at Outernet;

JUNE 15-16: Jean Carne, 229;

JUNE 16: Johnny Campbell, Green Note; Florist, Union Chapel; Amira Elfeky, The Underworld; Teen Mortgage + GALLUS, The Garage; Mothica + Nxdia, Islington Academy;

JUNE 17: Kim Dracula, The Dome; Steel Panther + Tailgunner, Electric Ballroom; An Evening with Brent & Zach of Shinedown, Islington Assembly Hall;

JUNE 17-18: Latto + Chy Cartier, Roundhouse;

JUNE 18: Julie, Electric Ballroom; The Chesterfield Kings + The Len Price 3, 229; Margo Price + Maya Lane, Scala; Archers, The Black Heart; Iona Lane, Green Note; Sam Sweeney (Bellowhead) + Grace Smith, Cecil Sharp House; JD Clayton, The Camden Assembly;

JUNE 18-19: Nick Mulvey + Jerub, Union Chapel;

JUNE 19: Mallrat, The Garage; Youth Lagoon, Islington Assembly Hall;

JUNE 20: Beks, The Camden Assembly; Kim Deal, Roundhouse; Horsegirl + Nightshift, Scala; Merge + Rogue Monkey, The Fiddler’s Elbow; Cyril, HERE at Outernet; JD McPherson, The Garage;

JUNE 21: Owen Spafford + Stella Prince, St Paul’s Church garden, Camden Square; bôa, The Forum; Kid Creole & The Coconuts + Omar, Roundhouse; Seething Akira, The Camden Assembly; Raquel Rodriguez, Islington Assembly Hall; Club Broadway, HERE at Outernet;

JUNE 22: Golden Shoals, Aces & Eights; Sunday Papers live, Park Village Studios; Al2 El Aldeano, The Garage; Shahnai Band, Union Chapel; Fallen From Grace + The Mojo City Rebels + Captain Fugly + Squangey Bobbins + Kai-Otee + DJ Sammi Starr, The Dublin Castle;

JUNE 23: OSEES, Electric Ballroom; Macy Gray – On How Life Is 25th Anniversary Tour + Tommy Wa, Union Chapel;

JUNE 24: The Milk Men, 100 Club; Milli Mountain + Amy Milner + Oliver Say, The Lexington; Driveways + Eternal Boy, Islington Academy; Gang of Four, The Forum;

JUNE 25: Rogê, Jazz Cafe; The Number Twenty + My Best Unbeaten Brother + Kurtledmilk + The French Laundry + DJ Joei Supernova, The Dublin Castle;

JUNE 25-26: The Backseat Lovers + Charlie Vaughan;

JUNE 26 – Disco Misr, Scala; Third World + Kumar Fyah + Mixmaster J, Jazz Cafe; Ese and The Vooduu People, The Water Rats.