JOHNNY BORRELL

HE found fame as the frontman of Razorlight, enjoying huge success throughout the noughties.

After a break from music, Johnny Borrell is back with his solo project.

On the back of the release of their EP The Artificial Night, Johnny Borrell and Zazou play Lennons on Wednesday.

Audiences can expect Johnny to step away from his indie roots and explore a more mellow sound with new tracks including Cacambo’s March and The Camera Song.

Johnny said: “On a personal level, I feel like I connected with song writing again, I feel free in terms of song writing, I feel like this is definitely the strongest stuff I’ve done for a very, very long time in terms of songs – that is the very definition of satisfaction. We played to what, 80 people in Paris last night? I would rather play to 80 people who are switched on enough, and unprejudiced enough, to get what’s going on with this band right now, than play to 80,000 people who are there because that’s the CD that’s out this year or whatever. Of course I would, it’s what it’s about.”

EMMA STEVENS

EMBARKING on her first solo tour after headlining Radio 2’s Introducing Stage at Hyde Park last year, Emma Stevens will play The Brook on Thursday.

She is riding the wave of a fantastic 2013, which saw her first 4 EP releases all playlisted at BBC Radio 2, live sessions on Terry Wogan’s show, support from champion Chris Evans and live performances including a main stage performance in London’s Hyde Park to 40,000 people.

The Enchanted Tour 2014, sees Emma heading out on the road for 13 dates across the UK, with her full live band and performing songs such as Riptide, Sunflower, A Place Called You and This Is For You.

Emma Stevens originally came to the attention of BBC Radio 2 producers after she uploaded her songs to the BBC Introducing website.

Legendary presenter Terry Wogan was immediately smitten with Emma’s songs and voice and invited her in for a live session as did breakfast show host Chris Evans for whom she also performed live on air; unprecedented exposure for an unsigned artist, self funding her own releases.

Emma is an incredibly talented singer songwriter and multi-instrumentalist playing guitar, piano, cello, ukulele, banjo, mandolin, percussion and baritone guitar as well as singing on all songs!

LITTLE MATADOR

HE’S more used to rocking stadiums, arenas and major festivals the world over with Snow Patrol.

But Nathan Connolly will be packing out a different kind of venue next week.

The guitarist and songwriter plays the intimate barn at The Railway in Winchester on Tuesday.

The sound is as far from Snow Patrol as you could imagine.

The band have already supported Nine Inch Nails and Queens of the Stone Age and their music is high on volume, adrenaline and riffs.

Little Matador are touring their self-titled debut album, set for release by Fiction Records in April.

Members of the band also have CVs that include Idlewild, The Frames and Bell XI.