NEW York’s finest, Fun Lovin’ Criminals, return to the Alban Arena with their urban soul anthem-driven beats next Wednesday evening, September 8.

The band were formed in New York in 1993 and gate-crashed the Britpop party in 1996 bringing along the generational classic album Come Find Yourself featuring their best-known single Scooby Snacks.

In the last five years founder Huey Morgan has become a British institution with his own BBC Radio 6 music show and numerous TV performances. A confirmed Anglophile, he and the band are now back with the acclaimed new album Classic Fantastic.

Fun Lovin’ Criminals are making a return to St Albans after five years and they come on stage at 7.30pm. Tickets are �22.50 seated and �20 standing, available from the box office on 01727 844488 or online at www.alban-arena.co.uk

The original punk poet, John Cooper Clarke, delivers his unique and rapid-fire poems together with gags and tales at 8pm the following night, Thursday, September 9.

He first toured with Be-Bop Deluxe on their 1977 UK tour and has now established a career spanning over 30 years. During the punk era he provided show support for Buzzcocks, Joy Division, The Fall and many others.

Most recently he has been cited by many young bands, including The Arctic Monkeys, as a massive influence on their own lyrics and style. His recent career has seen appearances at such UK festivals as Edinburgh, The Big Chill and Castle Stage.

John will be joined on stage by St Albans band Polly Poison & Her Electric Antidote. Tickets are �16.50.

A complete entertainment spectacle is promised when Brian Conley returns to the Alban Arena at 8pm on Friday, September 10.

Combining comedy, dancing and singing, the show allows Brian to share his roots in theatre with the audience. The brand-new show features special guests Dangerous Brian, Larry the Loafer, Nick Frisbee and the legendary Al Jolson.

Brian has had numerous shows on TV including The Brian Conley Show, Time After Time, Brian Conley - Alive and Dangerous and The Grimleys. Tickets to see him at the Arena are �22 with concessions �2 off.

Darius Campbell brings The History of the Big Bands to the Arena at 7.30pm on Saturday, September 11.

Following in the footsteps of the great crooners such as Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Dean Martin and Andy williams, Darius revisits some of swing’s very best songs.

All the famous tunes from the world’s great band leaders will be performed so the show will take in music from Harry James, Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey, Duke Ellington, Glenn Miller, Count Basie, Woody Herman and Buddy Rich.

Darius is no stranger to the big stage. As well as his TV and music success, he has starred as Sky Masterson in Guys’n’Dolls, Billy Flynn in Chicago and the Clark Gable role of Rhett Butler in Trevor Nunn’s Gone with the Wind.

He recently took the role of Escamillo in Raymond Gubby’s production of Carmen at the O2 Arena.

Tickets for The History of the Big Bands are �18 with concessions �2 off.

A little bit of Texas comes to the Arena at 7.30pm next Sunday, September 12, when The Texas Tenors come to town.

Voted Vocal Group of the Year 2009 on America’s Got Talent, Marcus, J.C. and John unite to perform the most romantic songs of the last century and bring their blend of Gospel, country, classical and Broadway to the stage.

They combine their vocals with humour and a hint of cowboy charm and perform everything from well-loved arias to show songs, from Nessun Dorma to My Way.

Tickets are �18 with concessions �2 off.