Gary Flockhart: Lots to look forward to on the live music front

Plan B and past nominee Richard Hawley are joint favourites to win this year’s Barclaycard Mercury Music Prize, so we can assume they probably won’t, such is the Mercury’s reputation for crowning obscure acts.

My money would be on Edinburgh-formed quartet Django Django and, if not them, perhaps south London soul singer Lianne La Havas, whose fans include Prince and Stevie Wonder.

Both acts have scheduled dates in the Capital this month, and both gigs are worthy of your attention.

La Havas, whose light, ethereal vocals can be heard throughout impressive debut album Don’t Wake Me Up, visits the Queen’s Hall a week on Saturday, while the Django Django bring their adventurous art-pop to Liquid Room on October 24.

Having formed in these parts, I’ve seen the Djangos live on a number of occasions and have always been impressed with them.

La Havas I’ve never seen in concert, and I’m especially looking forward to her Edinburgh show after the disappointment of her cancelled Liquid Room show back in August.

Before then, gig-goers have John Cale to look forward to.

The former Velvet Underground star and solo legend brings new album Shifty Adventures In Nookie Wood to the HMV Picture House next Friday and is not to be missed.

Same goes for the return of Natasha Khan to the Lothian Road venue on October 19.

The artist known to most as Bat For Lashes is a fantastic package, and if forthcoming third album The Haunted Man is half as good as her Mercury-nominated first two, Fur And Gold and Two Suns, then fans are in for a treat when she brings it here on the week of its release.