Following on from last year’s amazing lineup, the Mencap Little Noise sessions are back again this November to raise more money for the mental disability charity.

The series of gigs at London’s Islington Union Chapel will take place over about 2 weeks, with more dates and artists to be announced

The charity’s ambassador, Jo Whiley, may be on maternity leave from her job at Radio 1, but she’s managed to get an incredible lineup to play. She commented: “Mencap’s Little Noise Sessions are a great opportunity to see big name bands play an acoustic gig in an intimate setting, whilst raising money for a really worthwhile cause.”

Fans wanting to buy tickets need to register on Mencapmusic.org.uk between October 1 and 16. All proceeds from ticket sales go to Mencap.

Saturday 8th November - Glasvegas, Cage the Elephant
Sunday 9th November - Razorlight, Florence and the Machine, Esser
Monday 10th November - Stereophonics, Seasick Steve
Tuesday 11th November - Adele, Angus And Julia Stone
Wednesday 12th November - Biffy Clyro, Friendly Fires, Frank Turner
Thursday 13th November - James Morrison, Katy Perry, Sam Beeton
Friday 14th November - Kasabian, Reverend and the Makers, The Hours, Fight Like Apes
Saturday 15th November - Keane, The Script, Bryn Christopher, Red Light Company
Tuesday 18th November - The Fratellis

Corporate music awards shows ahoy! The Vodafone Live Music Awards 2008 takes place this Thursday at London’s Brixton Academy, then shows on 4Music this Friday 19th September at 9pm and on Channel 4 on Saturday at 10am and 11:25pm.

This years awards looks set to be the best in the 3 years the awards have been running - Primal Scream, Glasvegas, James Morrison, Will Young, Estelle and The Ting Tings are all going to be performing live, along with one more mystery guest.

Presenting will be the (rather bizarre) mix of Steve Jones and Juliette Lewis, along with guest presenters including Mark Ronson, Kelly Rowland, Andrew Flintoff, Keith Lemon, Dave Berry and Nicholas Hoult.

Voting is now closed, but let’s just hope Amy Winehouse doesn’t win best female, and that Kaisers don’t win best live act.

If you’re home alone this Friday or Saturday night why not tune in for one of the last of this year’s major awards ceremonies?

Photo is taken from Scott Roberts’ flickr stream under the creative commons license.

After the jump: Full list of awards and nominations
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James Morrison has announced a November UK tour, his first this year.

Tickets go on sale on Friday (12th September) at 9am for the below dates:

Sunday 16th November - Norwich UEA
Monday 17th November - Lincoln Engine Shed
Wednesday 19th November - Oxford New Theatre
Thursday 20th November - Southampton Guildhall
Saturday 22nd November - Preston 53 Degrees
Sunday 23rd November - Edinburgh Picture House
Tuesday 25th November - London Shepherds Bush Empire

The Forestry Commission has announced their artists for summer 2008’s summer series. This year sees KT Tunstall, The Charlatans, Crowded House and Status Quo all rock various forests around the UK. Full details are on their website. Catch the below acts at the dates below. All tickets are on sale now..

The Zutons

Thursday 5th June - High Lodge, Thetford Forest, Near Brandon, Suffolk
Sunday 8th June - Bedgebury Pinetum & Forest, Near Goudhurst, Kent
Friday 13th June - Delamere Forest, Near Linmere, Cheshire
Friday 20th June - Westonbirt - The National Arboretum, Near Tetbury, Glos
Saturday 21st June - Sherwood Pines Forest Park, Near Edwinstowe, Notts
Friday 27th June - Dalby Forest, Near Pickering, North Yorks
Saturday 28th June- Cannock Chase Forest, Near Rugeley, Staffs

KT Tunstall -
(with support from Tom Baxter)
Friday 6 June - High Lodge, Thetford Forest Near Brandon, Suffolk
Sunday 15 June - Delamere Forest Near Linmere, Cheshire

Tickets are £27.50 and go on sale at 9.00am this Friday, 15th February

Crowded House -

Friday 20 June - Sherwood Pines Forest Park, Nr Edwinstowe, Nottinghamshire
Saturday 21 June - Westonbirt, National Arboretum, Nr Tetbury, Gloucestershire
Thursday 10 July - High Lodge, Thetford Forest, Nr Brandon, Suffolk

Tickets are £30 and are on sale now

The Charlatans -

Sunday 29 June - Cannock Chase Forest, Near Rugeley, Staffordshire

Tickets are £26 and are on sale now.

James Morrison -

Saturday 14 June 2008 - Delamere Forest, Linmere, Delamere, Cheshire

Tickets are £27.50 and are on sale now.

Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra -

Saturday 7 June 2008 - Bedgebury Pinetum and Forest, Nr Goudhurst, Kent (with Gilson Lavis and guest vocalists Ruby Turner and Louise Marshall)
Friday 18 July 2008 - The National Arboretum, Westonbirt, Tetbury, Gloucestershire (with Gilson Lavis, special guest vocalist Marc Almond and guest vocalists Ruby Turner and Louise Marshall)

Tickets are £30 and are on sale now.

Katherine Jenkins -

Saturday 12 July 2008 - High Lodge, Thetford Forest, Santon Downham, Brandon, Suffolk
Saturday 19 July 2008 - The National Arboretum, Westonbirt, Tetbury, Gloucestershire.

Tickets are £28.50 and are on sale now.

Status Quo -

Saturday 7 June 2008 - High Lodge, Thetford Forest, Santon Downham, Brandon, Suffolk
Friday 27 June 2008 - Cannock Chase Forest, Staffordshire
Saturday 28 June 2008 - Dalby Forest, Nr Thornton Le Dale, N York Moors
Sunday 22 June 2008 - The National Arboretum, Westonbirt, Tetbury, Gloucestershire

Tickets are £30 and are on sale now.

The ever brilliant Eden Sessions have been announced, featuring many of this years biggest acts. The sessions have been moved forward from throughout August to now throughout July, which probably won’t make much difference to most people.

Monday July 2nd - James Morrison
Tuesday July 10th - Rufus Wainwright
Tuesday July 17th - Amy Winehouse
Wednesday July 18th - Lily Allen
Saturday July 21st - Bright Eyes
Sunday July 22nd - Pet Shop Boys

None of the bands are particuarly shite, but there aren’t any that I’d make the effort to drive for four hours for.

Tickets are on sale for all dates now, with the exception of Pet Shop Boys who go on sale at 6pm on next Tuesday, April 24th.