THE Manfreds celebrate half a century of music when they appear at the Alban Arena next Thursday, October 18.

Original Manfred Mann members Paul Jones, Mike Hugg, Tom McGuinness and former member Mike d’Abo, are joined by Rob Townsend, Marcus Cliffe and Simon Currie in the new line-up which features both the lead singers from the 1960s band.

Since Manfred Mann formed in 1962, they have secured their place in the history books of British popular and R&B music with numerous top ten hits across the world.

The band re-formed as The Manfreds in 1991. They tour the world extensively and 2012 will be a very busy year celebrating their anniversary and promoting both old and new music.

The show, which starts at 7.30pm, features all their greatest hits including 5-4-3-2-1, Just Like A Woman, Do Wah Diddy, Semi Detached Suburban Mr James, Ha! Ha! Said the Clown, Pretty Flamingo and The Mighty Quinn.

Tickets at �24 and �22 are available from the box office on 01727 844488 or online at www.alban-arena.co.uk

Iconic 90s Britpop band Dodgy will be headlining an evening of live music at the The Alban Arena at 8pm next Friday, October 19.

The evening will also feature support from two local acts, Katie Masson and Chameleon Boy.

The first time round, Dodgy were only together for seven years but in that time they sold over a million records worldwide, released three albums and 12 Top 40 singles including Staying Out For The Summer, So Let Me Go Far, If You’re Thinking Of Me and the Top 5 hit Good Enough.

Now they’re back and such is the confidence in their new output, that Dodgy have already successfully completed a UK tour.

Katie Masson is a songwriter from St Albans who has been involved in various musical projects over the years but whose true passion lies in the simplicity of the acoustic.

Katie’s sound is widely influenced but is said to have elements of Eva Cassidy, Elkie Brooks and Adele. She is now working among commercial writers and producers on a new venture while singing in the professional function band Co-Jones alongside singer and guitarist Juan Fos who will be featuring with Katie on the night.

John Beeson started making music at the tender age of four. His talent wasn’t limited to the keyboard and he soon showcased his guitar, lead vocal and song-writing when he fronted his first blues band aged 21.

Later he joined the band Inertia 1992 before forming Headrush in 1999 which toured extensively for six years before splitting in 2005.

After a number of years of solo performance John has got together with like-minded musicians to form Chameleon Boy.

Tickets are �15.

The Arena is hosting an Earlybird Christmas Craft Fair from 11am to 6pm next Sunday, October 21. It will feature three floors of craft and gift stalls and tickets are �3 with under-12s free.

n Tickets for The Proclaimers, who are appearing at the Arena next Wednesday, October 17, have sold out.