GIG GUIDE

JUST two months ago Motorhead fans were shocked at news of Lemmy, the band's veteran frontman being ill.

Lemmy had contracted a bad infection in his foot after an earlier injury and in September he was forced to cancel their hotly anticipated US tour.

In true rock and roll style, the wild front man ignored doctors orders to rest: "Motorhead fans are the best fans in the world and they deserve everything I have to give," he said at the time.

American doctors even told him that part of his foot would have to be amputated but this didn't stop Motorhead in their continuing battle to keep rock alive.

After seeing British doctors, Lemmy was treated with antibiotics and now he, along with the rest of the band and his foot are back on tour.

Motorhead will play at Southampton Guildhall on Friday, November 19 and are back with classics and new songs for metal audiences to feast their ears upon.

The event is sold out but returns may be available.

SAMUEL Oyediji is bringing his unique blend of world music, which incorporates rootsy African rhythms and tribal chants, to Talking Heads in Portswood, Southampton, on Friday, November 19.

Through the use of live loop sampling, Samuel creates a wall of sound, using percussion, voice and guitars, creating the sound of many performers playgin together at once..

Many of his songs are based on ancient African poems, while some are in English and others are in Latin.

Tickets: £5. Box office: 023 8067 8446.

PAUL Young's highly-respected band, Los Pacaminos, are at The Brook in Portswood, Southampton, on Saturday, November 20.

The seven-piece outfit perform Tex-Mex classics, Spanish songs and original material.

The band was formed in 1995 for fun and took off from there.

That spirit of fun has remained with the band and anyone who goes to see them is guaranteed a good time - after all, who else can claim Wooly Bully, La Bamba and Speedy Gonzales among their set list.

Tickets: £10. Box office: 023 8055 5366.

CHRISTMAS is definitely coming early - this week in fact, at the Kings theatre in Southsea, anyway.

On Thursday, November 25 the venue is playing host to the Merry Xmas Everybody - 32 Days of Christmas tour.

The show features Slade as well as Doctor and the Medics and tribute band T Rextasy.

Tickets: from £17.50. Box office: 023 9282 8282.

Everyone looking forward to the forthcoming Ben Folds gig at Southampton Guildhall on November 21 is set for a big disappointment.

Unfortunately for ticket holders and fans everywhere, Ben Folds has had to postpone his UK tour due to a respiratory infection. The star is under doctor supervision and is unable to travel, perform or sing for at least a month.

However, his recovery is expected to see him back at Southampton Guildhall for a rescheduled show on June 10, 2005.

Tickets for November 21 will be valid for the rescheduled gig.

ACTORS at The Nuffield theatre, Southampton, are busy rehearsing for their spectacular Christmas Show, The Snow Queen.

But on Friday, November 19 rehearsals will come screeching to a halt for one day, all in the name of BBC's Children in Need.

The Nuffield are hosting a Pops Orchestra concert with all proceeds going to the worthy children's charity.

The concert will be broadcast live on air on BBC Radio Solent with commentary from presenter Sylv Willoughby.

The orchestra providing the entertainment for the night, Southampton Pops, is a local group with a difference.

Hailing from all corners of Southampton, they play a variety of music such as big band, pop, swing, latin and light classic, in some of the liveliest concerts in the south of England.

Pops' regular haunt is the Central Hall in Southampton, where they continually delight audiences.

Pudsy Bear will be at The Nuffield throughout the evening, signing autographs and collecting donations.

Tickets: £6 for adults. Box office on 023 8067 1771 or can be booked online at www.nuffieldtheatre.co.uk

ALVIN Stardust was once famous for wearing slick leather jackets and an attitude-laden pout, but now he's donning his red Santa suit and practising his cheesy grin in preparation for his Christmas show.

The 60s and 70s star, who had a number one hit with Jealous Mind and a string of other chart toppers under his belt, is on tour around the UK spreading Christmas cheer to all in need of a festive sing-song.

His Christmas tour, Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree, features Alvin alongside the Stardust band, The Jingles, The Heartbeats and The Rockin' Holly Berries.

Songs featured in the festive show include Frosty the Snowman, Santa Baby and Jingle Bell Rock.

Of course, Alvin wouldn't disappoint his loyal fans so he will be putting a Yuletide edge on some of his biggest hits like My Coo Ca Choo.

Chichester Festival Theatre. Thursday, November 25. Tickets: from £14. Box office: 01243 781312.