Hot enough for you?

Japan has Fuji Rock, Britain boasts the Reading Festival and Hong Kong has - well, nothing in that league. But even though our city hasn't been able to sustain a proper music festival - see Rockit and Harbour Fest, for example - there's still a long, hot summer of gigs coming up that won't require you to get on a plane. Hong Kong is now firmly on the global touring map, especially with stadium rock acts lured by the addition of the purpose-built AsiaWorld-Arena near Chek Lap Kok airport and the Venetian's Cotai Arena in Macau. But look beyond the headline acts and there is a new wave of younger promoters putting on events with emerging talent, and acts with smaller but hard-core followings. Yes, platinum-selling behemoths such as Slash and Simply Red will be stealing the headlines this summer, but other music fans will be keeping an eye on the intimate gigs being staged by promoters including the People's Party and The Underground. Once you've your tickets, you still have to hope the acts turn up, of course. A glut of tour cancellations this summer in the United States has seen the Eagles, Christina Aguilera, Rihanna and U2 scrap gigs, citing various reasons. But for now, here's our hand-picked gig selection for the summer - and keep an eye on Going Out for all the latest news. For the indie cool cats Montreal synth-punk outfit Handsome Furs had a big impact during their riotous show here last year - so big that they're back for a gig on August 4 at Grappa's Cellar. And this Central venue will also host what could be the gig of the summer on August 10, a double-header that introduces a pair of Britain's best new bands. Two Door Cinema Club and Delphic have been vaunted by musical bible NME as bands to watch in 2010, and will be appearing back to back at Hitec in Kowloon Bay on August 10. ... and for the not-so-cool cats: a similar kind of hype greeted Kula Shaker 15 years ago when they made the biggest splash on the music scene since Oasis. Media overexposure and a realisation they weren't that good led them to disband in 1999, and since reforming in 2006 they've struggled to hit former highs. Catch the falling stars at AsiaWorld-Arena on August 7. For the guitar heroes Pack up the PlayStation, grab your air guitar and head to AsiaWorld-Arena on July 29 to see Slash. The former Guns N' Roses axeman may fall into the stadium rocker category, but he's still a great musician at the top of his game, and is expected to run through their classics as well as his more recent solo material. For those who wish they could hit Fuji The closest we'll get to a summer festival is an hour's boat ride away - and even then much of it will be held indoors. The Rockit Festival struggled in Hong Kong mainly because of government red tape, but has found a more welcoming environment at the Venetian in Macau. Dubbed the Mima Rockit Festival, the August 7-8 event features 80s synth-popper Gary Numan, DJ Darren Emerson (formerly of Underworld) and acclaimed dance act UNKLE Live, along with a host of local bands. For the middle-aged smoochers Mick Hucknall holds back the years for a final time as Simply Red play their farewell gig at AsiaWorld-Arena on September 22. There may be tears in the audience too - from those who fell in love to the British crooner's cover of If You Don't Know Me By Now 21 years ago. If Hucknall's soul pop is saccharine, the pop balladry of Japan's Love Psychedelico is xylitol, sweet but fresher and more hip. The hugely popular folk-pop band celebrate a decade since their Hong Kong debut at the same venue on July 23. For students on summer holidays Strictly for the young and beautiful, the Hed Kandi Pool Party takes over the Venetian Macao casino on July 24, promising the glitz of Miami, the extravagance of Vegas and the vibe of Ibiza. It's the perfect party mix for returning students. DJ Andrew Daniels and live percussionist Steve Lewis keep the bikini-clad dancers going until the early hours. Elsewhere, you'll likely find them jumping up and down at Volar for Brazilian drum'n'bass master DJ Marky on July 30. For the ageing ravers Those old enough to have partied through the 1997 handover will remember DJ Dave Seaman's progressive house set as one of the highlights. Now 42, chances are he'll still be younger than most who trek out to AsiaWorld-Arena to see him perform after Kula Shaker on August 7. ... and their kids: ravers who had kids back in 97 will probably have to go alone as their progeny will likely be recovering from the chunky modern beats hammered out by the Ed Banger crew at Volar on August 6. The French electronica label that spawned beat masters such as Justice left British-style four-to-the-floor raving for dead. Know a guy in the band? Grappa's Cellar in Jardine House is a small but popular venue for local indie fans, and with its 'Summer in the Cellar' trilogy of concerts featuring local acts, chances are you'll be there because you know them. Over the course of three Saturday nights, starting on August 14, some of the best acts from the Hong Kong underground will take to the stage, including Good Fellas, the David Bowie Knives and Transnoodle. At HK$300 for the three nights with a free drink each time, it's the best-value party of the summer too. For the hip hop groovers Hard-core hip hop fans will be sneakered up for DJ Yoda's gig at Volar on July 16. The scratch DJ is one of the world's leading turntablists, promising as much action on the decks as on the floor (see preview on page 11). ... and the not-so-hip: those who prefer bumping and grinding to more commercial sounds of the genre will have to catch a boat to see Usher at the Venetian Macao on July 13. The chart-topping Grammy winner is on the comeback trail after a series of controversies involving his love life and his family. For the kids Entertain and inspire the youngsters at two concerts performed by about 400 local young musicians picked to attend the Hong Kong Youth Music Camp and receive tutoring from musical maestros. The Camp Chinese Orchestra, Children's Choir and Junior String Orchestra play the Cultural Centre on August 1 and Camp Symphony Orchestra, Symphonic Band and Junior Chinese orchestra play Tsuen Wan Town Hall Auditorium on August 8. For those hooked on classics Get your fix before local orchestras and ensembles go into recess or on tour. For East meets West with a Scandinavian flavour, the International Chamber Music Festival at City Hall on July 9 celebrates the music of Finland and China, while the Sinfonietta at the same venue on July 23-25 plays hit television-music themes. For the jet set There's time to book flights. Try Singapore's Singfest 2010 from August 3 to 5, where hip hop king Kanye West, pop singer Katy Perry and grunge legends The Smashing Pumpkins head the bill. And it's still not too late to arrange a trip to Fuji Rock, the biggest music festival in Asia, which this year features Massive Attack, Roxy Music and Muse from July 30 to August 1.