Tim Hughes looks ahead at our musical year

With the echo of Auld Lang Syne fading away along with the vestiges of that New Year’s hangover, the temptation may be to hunker down and enjoy a quiet start to 2016.

Here at The Guide, we know that’s nonsense of course, and is simply a recipe for post-festive blues. So instead of hiding yourself away in your slippers, ease yourself gently into what promises to be a great year of music, by enjoying some of the fine local, national and international acts heading our way. Just maybe ease back on the booze a bit. See you at the front with a green tea. Maybe.

Get with the buzz

Quick out the blocks this year is one of the biggest buzz bands around – daughter.

Hot on the heels of their widely-acclaimed debut If You Leave, the North London indie-folk collective return with a bag of tunes from their second album Not To Disappear – out later this month.

Elena Tonra, Igor Haefeli and Remi Aguilella play heartfelt, soft-edged tunes brimming with emotion which landed them a signing with the esteemed 4AD label. You’ll have heard their tunes Youth and Home – which has been used on everything from Grey’s Anatomy, A Long Way Down and Skins to an advert for the Tour de France. Get on your bike then, as this one will sell out.

Daughter, O2 Academy Oxford, January 16

Cover girl

We have been fans of Gabrielle Aplin since we first heard her amazing acoustic covers on Youtube as a virtually unknown young artist. She rose to prominence when her tender version of Frankie Goes to Hollywood’s The Power of Love was used on a John Lewis Christmas advert three years ago – and hit the top of the charts.

We prefer her own stuff though – such as that on new album

Light Up The Dark Gabrielle Aplin, O2 Academy Oxford, February 9

Kings of New York

Fun Lovin’ Criminals are the slickest yet funkiest guys on the block, with frontman Huey Morgan exuding that NY cool that we lesser mortals can only dream of. Now the 100% Colombian stars are back on Limey shores for a blast through their classic 1996 album Come Find Yourself.

Fun Lovin’ Criminals, O2 Academy Oxford, February 11

No sweat

If you listen to fans of folk-rock and soulful Americana, 2016 belongs to singer-songwriter Nathaniel Rateliff.

Next month Missouri’s finest, and his R&B band The Night Sweats arrive for one of the most highly-anticipated nights of the year. Expect powerful, yet very bluesy, fireworks this Valentine’s Day

Nathaniel Rateliff, O2 Academy Oxford, February 14

Keep it in the family

One of our favourite acts of 2016, Fat White Family have cornered the market in outrageous feats of the purest rock & roll. Frontman Lias Saoudi and his five-piece hit town in support of second album, Songs For Our Mothers.

This is not for the easily-startled. Expect wild things.

Fat White Family, O2 Academy Oxford, February 28

Great expectations

It has taken Emma-Lee Moss three years to release her confusingly titled third album Second Love – but now the singer, who goes under the name Emmy the Great, is ready to share it with the world. A prominent member of what used to be known as the anti-folk movement, this Hong Kong-born and London-based songwriter crafts songs of both painful intimacy and strident honesty – which is why we love her.

Emmy the Great, O2 Academy Oxford, March 11

Lupine pop

Oxford Mail:

When we spoke to Ellie Rowsell last spring, she admitted to huge ambitions. “We want to do everything bigger and better,” she said proudly. With her band Wolf Alice, she has already achieved that, with recognition as one of the year’s best bands and a Mercury nomination to boot. Now Ellie and the band are back for another storming night of alt rock with a folky edge.

Wolf Alice, O2 Academy Oxford, March 13

Any Dream will do

Ah, Jason Donovan! The former Neighbours heart-throb is not only a great thespian, he remains a talented singer – with a big heart, as those who have seen his charity shows at the New Theatre will know. Now he is back for a solo tour of his 1989 debut Ten Good Reasons, and more of his greatest hits.

Jason Donovan, New Theatre Oxford, March 13

The People’s Tenor

Russell Watson is one of the biggest classical crossover stars of all time, and returns to the New Theatre to sing his Songs From The Heart. The show follows a great year, with a sell-out UK tour for the singer, with special guest performances at US National Memorial Day in Washington DC and a triumphant appearance at BBC Proms In the Park. Enjoy a night of classics from a man whose own rags-to-riches rise to fame has won the former working man’s club singer a place in the nation’s heart.

Russell Watson, New Theatre Oxford , May 15

Local hero

Festival season is a long way off, but first out of the blocks this year is newbie Common People. This spin-off of the award-winning Bestival features Primal Scream, Public Enemy, Craig David, Chas & Dave and Wheatley’s own Gaz Coombes – who really should have been awarded last year’s Mercury prize for his outstanding album Matador. Many more names are to follow.

Common People, South Park, Oxford, May 29-29