A timeline of the Downing Street lockdown party allegations | The ...

A police investigation has been launched into the parties held in Downing Street while the country was under lockdown restrictions.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick has said the force is looking into “potential breaches of Covid-19 regulations” since 2020 after it received information from the Cabinet Office inquiry, led by Sue Gray.

A spokesman for Boris Johnson said the prime minister did not think he had broken the law.

He told the Commons he welcomed the investigation, which may delay the publication of Gray’s report into alleged lockdown breaches. Sky News said “a final decision on whether to publish in the coming days has not yet been taken”.

15 May 2020 The first of the alleged restriction breaches took place days after Johnson announced that the country would begin taking the “first careful steps” out of lockdown, the Evening Standard said. At the time, restrictions meant people could not leave home without a reasonable excuse and could only meet one person outside while exercising. An investigation by The Guardian, however, led to the publication of a picture of Johnson, flanked by Carrie Johnson and his then chief adviser Dominic Cummings, drinking wine and eating cheese in the No. 10 garden. That day, the health secretary at the time, Matt Hancock, had urged “people to stick to the rules and not take advantage of the good weather over the May weekend to socialise in groups”.

20 May 2020 One of the most explosive of the alleged lockdown parties was revealed when an email leaked to ITV News showed more than 100 Downing Street staff were invited for drinks in the garden of No. 10 to “make the most of the lovely weather”. Sent by Johnson’s principal private secretary Martin Reynolds, the email invited employees including advisers, speech writers and door staff to come over and “bring your own booze”. The senior civil servant wrote: “After what has been an incredibly busy period we thought it would be nice to make the most of the lovely weather and have some socially distanced drinks in the No. 10 garden this evening.” Johnson admitted during a bruising Prime Minister’s Questions appearance last week that he attended for around “25 minutes” but thought it was a “work event”. Sources later told The Times that he was seen “wandering round glad-handing people” during the event attended by Carrie Johnson and Henry Newman, then an adviser to Michael Gove and now a senior No. 10 figure.

19 June 2020 ITV News this week reported that a birthday party was held in the Cabinet Room for Johnson with up to 30 people. His wife Carrie apparently presented him with a cake and “led staff in a chorus of happy birthday”, said the broadcaster. No. 10 responded saying: “A group of staff working in No 10 that day gathered briefly in the Cabinet Room after a meeting to wish the prime minister a happy birthday. He was there for less than ten minutes.”

5 November 2020 In early November, new lockdown restrictions were introduced to deal with rising Covid-19 infections and hospitalisations. The new rules meant people were forced to stay at home unless doing essential activities. Indoor gatherings were also banned.

13 November 2020 According to allegations laid out by former No. 10 adviser Cummings, a gathering was held eight days after the introduction of new rules on the evening that he was sacked. Cummings tweeted: “Will the [cabinet secretary] also be asked to investigate the *flat* party on Fri 13 Nov, the other flat parties, & the flat’s ‘bubble’ policy…?” His reference to the cabinet secretary came after Johnson instructed Simon Case to investigate claims of a Christmas party in Downing Street, telling MPs that he was “furious” at footage leaked of senior aides joking about the event.

25 November 2020 The Treasury was forced on to the defensive late last year after The Times revealed an “impromptu” party was held in late November 2020 to celebrate Rishi Sunak’s autumn spending review. A spokesperson told The Guardian that a “small number” had remained after work to celebrate at their desks. According to The Times, “about two dozen civil servants” took part in the drinks after “wine and beer were brought into the Treasury”. “They’d all been working really hard,” sources told the paper. “They had to be in the office anyway that day. It wasn’t a formal party but perhaps in hindsight it wasn’t the most sensible thing to do.”

27 November 2020 Two days later, it was alleged that the prime minister attended a leaving event for Cleo Watson, a former Downing Street adviser. A source told The Guardian “that Johnson personally attended and gave a speech”, mentioning how crowded it was in the room before leaving shortly afterwards to continue working.

2 December 2020 The second national lockdown was replaced with the tier system, which sees London placed into “tier two” restrictions. This means a ban on indoor meetings of two or more people.

10 December 2020 Eight days later, the Department for Education held a Christmas party at which two dozen people drank in the department canteen. Susan Acland-Hood, a senior civil servant, said it had been organised at the request of former education secretary Gavin Williamson, The Guardian reported.

Ten Things You Need to Know Today: 11 January 2022 | The Week ...

PM attended lockdown party

Up to 100 people were invited to a “bring-your-own-booze” drinks event in the Downing Street garden during the first lockdown, it has emerged. Eyewitnesses told the BBC that Boris Johnson and his wife were among about 30 people who attended the gathering on 20 May 2020. The PM has refused to confirm whether he was present. An email obtained by ITV shows Martin Reynolds, Johnson’s principal private secretary, encouraged staff to “make the most of the lovely weather” and “join us from 6pm” with “your own booze”. At the time, social mixing was banned except with one other person from another household outdoors in a public place. Scotland Yard said that the Metropolitan Police is considering investigating the event.


Phoenix concerts in March: Pink, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, Michael ...

Garth Brooks drew the biggest crowd for a single-day event in Arizona history in a month that also featured three big music festivals and Billy Joel.

And it's not over yet.

Here's a look at the remaining highlights of the month in music.

3/26: Rhydian Roberts

In 2007, this Welsh baritone thrilled British audiences on the U.K. version of "The X Factor." That has led to an impressive career which encompasses theater ("The Rocky Horror Show," "Grease") and recordings. His 2008 album "Rhydian" went platinum in England; his discs are surprisingly diverse, ranging from Josh Groban-styled pop to operatic standards ("Nessun Dorma") and even songs in Welsh.

Details: 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 26. Happy Trails Resort, 17200 W. Bell Road. Surprise. $32. 623-584-0066, htresort.com.

3/26: State Champs

The fact that they recruited New Found Glory's Steve Klein to produce "The Finer Things," their first album, should give you a decent idea of what State Champs are all about — infectious pop-punk songcraft delivered with plenty of youthful abandon.

Two albums later, they're heading to Phoenix in support of "Living Proof," on which their mastery of sugar-coated hooks remains as contagious as ever.

Details: 6:45 p.m. Tuesday, March 26. The Van Buren, 401 W. Van Buren St., Phoenix. $25-$28. 866-468-3399, thevanburenphx.com.

3/26: Queensryche

These progressive-metal veterans scored an unexpected mainstream breakthrough in the pre-Nirvana '90s with an orchestrated power ballad called "Silent Lucidity." With that single, "Jet City Woman" and "Another Rainy Night (Without You)" driving interest, 1990's triple-platinum "Empire" became their biggest-selling effort. They’ve since parted ways with the voice of those records, Geoff Tate, but the new guy, Todd La Torre, has been earning raves for his performances.

Details: 6:15 Tuesday, March 26. Marquee Theatre, 730 N. Mill Ave., Tempe. $30-$60. 480-829-0607, luckymanonline.com.

3/26: Her's

I hear the Beach Boys at their most eccentric filtered through Magnetic Fields. Q Magazine hears them "fusing Scritti Politti's twinkling, slinky grooves with the luminous lugubriousness of Orange Juice to create something that feels distinctly theirs." The weird thing is we're both right, which may be how these Liverpool rockers have managed a sound that feels distinctly theirs on the aptly titled debut, "Invitation to Her's." Their quirky charms are so contagious, they should've been called the OffBeatles.

Details: 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 26. Rebel Lounge, 2303 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix. $18; $16 in advance. 602-296-7013, therebellounge.com.

3/28: Whitney Rose

There's no mistaking what it was that led this young Canadian to move to Texas if you happen to listen to "South Texas Suite," an EP steeped in the spirit and sounds of her adopted home, or the full-length followup, "Rule 62." Paste said of the album, "What’s particularly striking here is how Rose matches credence with confidence. Her voice, a gentle and unassuming croon, gives her material a quiet caress, making them effortlessly engaging each time out."

Details: 8 p.m. Thursday, March 28. Rhythm Room, 1019 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix. $12. 602-265-4842, rhythmroom.com.

3/29: Michael Buble

The Canadian crooner hit the mainstream with "It's Time," a triple-platinum smash that topped the Billboard year-end jazz charts for 2005 and 2006 while spinning off his breakthrough single, "Home." He's also quite the showman. As the Sydney Morning Herald says, “This is a man who holds the audience in the palm of his hand. His soaring vocals absolutely knock it out of the park.”

Details: 8 p.m. Friday, March 29. Talking Stick Resort Arena, 201 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix. Resale prices vary. 602-379-7800, talkingstickresortarena.com.

3/29: A Boogie Wit da Hoodie

This 23-year-old Bronx rapper spent two weeks at No. 1 on Billboard's album chart in January with a second album titled "Hoodie SZN." And you pronounce that title "Hoodie Season," which this would appear to be.He may be best known at the moment for the triple-platinum Kodak Black-assisted "Drowning" from his previous release, "The Bigger Artist," but his current hit, "Look Back At It," is well along the way to changing that. He's joined by Don Q and Trap Manny.

Details: 8 p.m. Friday, March 29. The Van Buren, 401 W. Van Buren St., Phoenix. $65-$99. 866-468-3399, thevanburenphx.com.

3/30: Pink

Pink launched the Beautiful Trauma Tour in this same venue in March of 2018.

"The whole thing was brilliantly staged, with bright colors, interpretive dancing and plenty of high-flying spectacle," we wrote. "If for some reason, you believe you've seen another artist put more time and effort into doing acrobatics high above the crowd, you may just be thinking of Cirque du Soleil."

Details: 8 p.m. Saturday, March 30. Gila River Arena, 9400 W. Maryland Ave., Glendale. Resale prices vary. 623-772-3800, ticketmaster.com.

3/30: Quetzal

These Grammy-winning East LA Chicana rockers are marking their 25th anniversary as they bring their blend of Mexican ranchera, cumbia, salsa, rock, R&B, folk, international music and a political vision based in social activism and feminism to Tempe.

The Los Angeles Times called them “one of Los Angeles' most important bands" and they picked up a Latin alternative Grammy for 2013 "Imaginaries."

Details: 7 p.m. Saturday, March 30. ASU Gammage, Mill Avenue and Apache Boulevard, Tempe. $52.65. 480-965-3434, asugammage.com.

3/30: Wet

The alternative-R&B duo from Brooklyn spent a good part of last fall in Europe opening shows for Florence + the Machine in support of a soulful second album titled "Still Run."

This one leans more heavily on ballads than "Don't You," which had Fader raving "Wet has what it takes to make everyone care about an indie band." But the more reflective tone here plays to Zutrau's growing strengths on vocals.

Details: 8 p.m. Saturday, March 30. Marquee Theatre, 730 N. Mill Ave., Tempe. $30-$60. 480-829-0607, luckymanonline.com.

3/31: Luna

Singer-guitarist Dean Wareham assembled the earliest version of Luna after breaking up with Galaxie 500. The current touring lineup is the 1999–2005 edition that recorded "Luna Live," "Romantica," "Close Cover Before Striking" and "Rendezvous": Wareham and Sean Eden on guitar, Lee Wall on drums, and Britta Phillips on bass.Their latest album is "A Sentimental Education," which finds them covering classics by the Cure, Bob Dylan, Fleetwood Mac, Mercury Rev, the Rolling Stones and more.

Details: 7:30 p.m. Sunday, March 31. Musical Instrument Museum, 4725 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix. $43.50-$48.50. 480-478-6000, mim.org.

3/31: En Vogue

These funky divas had a string of massive pop hits in the '90s, topping Billboard's R&B charts six times – with "Hold On," "Lies," "You Don't Have to Worry," "My Lovin' (You're Never Gonna Get It)," "Giving Him Something He Can Feel" and "Don't Let Go (Love)."

They're won seven MTV Video Music Awards, three Soul Train Awards and two American Music Awards in addition to making Billboard's list of the 20 most successful artists of the '90s.

Details: 7 p.m. Sunday, March 31. Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave. $38-$58. 480-782-2680, chandlercenter.org.

PAST EVENTS

3/1: Neal Schon's Journey Through Time

The Journey guitarist and keyboardist Gregg Rolie, who played together in Santana before forming Journey, have reunited for a tour that's been designed to celebrate the early days of Journey without necessarily ignoring the hit years. They're joined by former Journey member Deen Castronovo on vocals and drums, Todd Jensen on bass and Chris Collins on guitar and keys.

Details: 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 1. The Van Buren, 401 W. Van Buren St., Phoenix. $65-$99. 866-468-3399, thevanburenphx.com.

3/1: Daughters

Brooklyn Vegan says, "It’s become pretty common for beloved bands to reunite and make good albums again, but it’s still rare for bands to reunite and make something that may very well be their best album, and that’s exactly what Daughters have done.”

They're referring, of course, to the Rhode Island noise-rock sensations' first album in eight years, the contagiously abrasive "You Won't Get What You Want."

Details: 8 p.m. Friday, March 1. Rebel Lounge, 2303 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix. $20; $18 in advance. 602-296-7013, therebellounge.com.

3/1: KMLE Country Double Header

Brett Young topped the charts at country radio with "Like I Loved You" and "In Case You Didn't Know" in 2017 after making a name for himself with the platinum breakthrough single, "Sleep Without You." And he was back at No. 1 last year with "Mercy."

Formerly known as LoCash Cowboys, LoCash peaked at No. 34 on Billboard's country chart in 2010 with "Keep in Mind," but really started gaining traction in 2015 when "I Love This Life" hit No. 5 on Billboard’s country chart, followed by "I Know Somebody."

Details: 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 1. Talking Stick Resort, 9800 E. Talking Stick Way, Salt River Reservation. $20 and up. 480-850-7777, talkingstickresort.com.

3/1-3: McDowell Mountain Music Festival (M3F)

In addition to headlining sets by Odesza, Empire of the Sun and Umphrey's McGee, the festival features such notable acts as Margo Price, Kurt Vile and the Violators, Toro Y Moi, Marian Hill, Big Wild and Jungle. Phoenix Afrobeat Orchestra, Noodles and the Uncommon Good will represent the home team at this 100 percent non-profit event, established in 2004, that has become a destination festival for music fans.

Details: 3 p.m. Friday-Sunday, March 1-3. Margaret T. Hance Park, 1202 N. Third St., Phoenix. $60/day; $125 three-day pass. m3ffest.com.

3/2: Lil Mosey

By the time he gets to Tempe, he'll be 17. But this Seattle-based hip-hop sensation has already touched off some serious buzz on the strength of a debut called "Northsbest" and its breakthrough single "Noticed," which more than lived up to its title. His first single, "Pull Up," has earned more than 20 million YouTube views while "Noticed" is closing in on 60 million views.

Details: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 2. Marquee Theatre, 730 N. Mill Ave., Tempe. $22.50-$37.50. 480-829-0607, luckymanonline.com.

3/2: Kool Keith

Among the more eccentric hip-hop legends in the game, the Bronx rapper is playing the official after-party for Skatercon with MC Intelligence.

It's been 31 years since he first made a name for himself as a member of Ultramagnetic MCs, going solo as Dr. Octagon in 1996 with "Dr. Octagonecologyst." And his music hasn't gotten any less, as Rolling Stone once summed up his aesthetic, "profoundly bugged-out" with the passage of time..

Details: 8 p.m. Saturday, March 2. Yucca Tap Room, 29 W. Southern Ave., Tempe. $20. 480-967-4777, yuccatap.com.

3/2-3: Innings Festival

Incubus tops Saturday's lineup at this two-day baseball-themed festival, with Sheryl Crow, Cake, Grouplove, Blues Traveler, Roger Clyne & the Peacemakers, Guster, Black Pistol Fire and Dorothy and the Baseball Project rounding out the first day. Eddie Vedder headlines Sunday with Jimmy Eat World, Band of Horses, St. Paul & the Broken Bones, Shakey Graves, Liz Phair, Mat Kearney, G. Love & Special Sauce, and the Record Company.

Details: 3 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, March 2-3. Tempe Beach Park, 80 W. Rio Salado Parkway. $130 for a two-day pass; $90 single day. inningsfestival.com.

3/2: Mushroomhead

These masked-and-costumed alternative-metal sensations from Cleveland have always gravitated to the artier extreme of the mosh pit, as they reasserted with a vengeance on their latest effort, 2014's "The Righteous & the Butterfly." Kerrang! included Mushroomhead's fourth album, "XIII," in the Top 10 of a list of best nu-metal albums, calling it "a genre mash-up encompassing thrash, doom, industrial, alt, prog, hip-hop and goth that somehow manages to be both coherent and compelling."

Details: 6 p.m. Saturday, March 2. Club Red, 1306 W. University Drive, Mesa. $30; $27 in advance. 480-258-2733, clubredrocks.com.

3/3: Saves the Day

The Jersey-based pop-punk sensations are touring a musical autobiography called "9." In a press release, singer-guitarist Chris Conley calls it "the story of Saves the Day and my own personal journey through life, which all unfolded as my relationship with music progressed.”

Alternative Press says they're "melodically brilliant as ever, but the previous trilogy’s anguish and inner turmoil seem to have been replaced by warm sentimentality, declarations of undying love, and smart discourse on relationships and the human condition, with the occasional killer curveball."

Details: 7:30 p.m. Sunday, March 3. Crescent Ballroom, 308 N. Second Ave., Phoenix. $25; $21 in advance. 602-716-2222, crescentphx.com.

3/3: Adia Victoria

By the time she gets to Phoenix, the Nashville-based Victoria will have released her long-awaited followup to her masterful debut, "Beyond the Bloodhounds." Produced by Aaron Dessner of the National, "Silences" was written as Victoria was going through withdrawal from the touring she'd done in support of her debut.

As she explains it in a press release, "I found when I went back home that the thing that disturbed me the most was the lack of activity. Having to deal with myself once again on an intimate level."

Details: 8 p.m. Monday, March 4. Valley Bar, 130 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. $14; $9 in advance. 602- 368-3121, valleybarphx.com.

3/3 B.J. Thomas

The Grammy-winning singer is featured in an unplugged-style event in which he’ll participate in an interview about his life and career and be accompanied by a guitar player and keyboardist while he performs some of his greatest hits. Those hits include such genre-defying classics as “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head,” “Hooked on a Feeling,” “Most of All” and “(Hey Won't You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song.”

Details: 6 p.m. Sunday, March 3. Community of Grace Lutheran Church, 10561 W. Pinnacle Peak Road, Peoria. SOLD OUT. 623-572-0050, boldrecklessgrace.org.

3/4: Metric

Emily Haines and her bandmates are touring the States in support of "Art of Doubt," the Canadian synth-pop veterans' seventh album of retro-futuristic New Wave dance songs.

NME wrote, "Album highlight ‘Now Or Never Now’ boasts that glow of sci-fi pop prowess that lit up 2009’s under-sung cult favourite ‘Fantasies’ – the space-age approach to pop that fans of Chvrches will adore."

Details: 7 p.m. Monday, March 4. The Van Buren, 401 W. Van Buren St., Phoenix. $46 and up. 866-468-3399, thevanburenphx.com.

3/4: Kikagaku Moyo

"Masana Temples" opens on a psychedelic sitar jam before immediately shifting gears with the pulsating bass and funk guitar of "Dripping Sun." And so it goes for eight more songs, restlessly making its way through a variety of genres without losing focus.

The 405 says "The result is an album that even in its slower moments seems to be constantly pushing forward, a hazy, dreamlike soundtrack to a classic road-trip movie."

Details: 8 p.m. Monday, March 4. Rebel Lounge, 2303 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix. $25; $20 in advance. 602-296-7013, therebellounge.com.

3/4: Scars on Broadway

Daron Malakian of System of A Down brings Scars on Broadway to town in support of "Dictator," a solo effort he's been sitting on for six years.

Malakian plays all the instruments on an album that serves its political broadsides with punkish abandon and humor while exploring a variety of genres. In other words, this one should speak directly to anyone who knows Malakian primarily through his other band.

Details: 8 p.m. Monday, March 4. Crescent Ballroom, 308 N. Second Ave., Phoenix. $25; $21 in advance. 602-716-2222, crescentphx.com.

3/5: Justin Timberlake

This is a second stop at Talking Stick Resort Arena for Timberlake's Man in the Woods Tour. And don't let the theme of the tour, with its campfire and trees, confuse the issue. For all its rustic trappings, the Man of the Woods Tour felt more like a night at the club in downtown Phoenix than a trip to Payson, from the time the singer hit the stage singing "Filthy," the opening track on the album for which the tour was named.

Details: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 5. Talking Stick Resort Arena, Second and Jefferson streets, Phoenix. $49.50 and up. 800-745-3000, ticketmaster.com.

3/5: Jukebox the Ghost

Is it even possible to sound more like Queen than these Brooklyn pop sensations have managed on "Off to the Races?" Not based on anything I've heard – although, to be fair, at times they also venture winningly into the realm of Billy Joel with hints of Ben Folds (the Bizarro World Billy Joel). PopMatters says, "After two albums of leaning increasingly heavily into the pop side of their sound, 'Off to the Races' finds the band reclaiming some of the weirder sensibilities that made their early work such a treat."

Details: 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 5. Crescent Ballroom, 308 N. Second Ave., Phoenix. $26; $23 in advance. 602-716-2222, crescentphx.com.

3/6: YG

The Compton rapper arrives in support of "Stay Dangerous," a third studio effort EW praised for "spinning hard-edged street stories through a hypnotic haze of thick, hyphy G-funk, the kind favored by ‘90s forbearers like DJ Quik and King T." YG's hits include "Toot It and Boot It," "Left, Right," "Who Do You Love?," "Why You Always Hatin'," the quadruple-platinum "My N---a" and this year's "Big Bank."

Details: 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 6. Marquee Theatre, 730 N. Mill Ave., Tempe. $48; $42.50 in advance. 480-829-0607, luckymanonline.com.

3/6: LP

LP is short for Laura Pergolizzi, a New York songwriter who's written songs for Cher, Rihanna, Backstreet Boys, Leona Lewis and Christina Aguilera.

"Heart to Mouth" is her poppiest album yet. The Irish Independent praised "the ear for a great hook that has brought her gainful employment from the likes of Cher and Christina Aguilera while still maintaining the idiosyncratic style – think Kate Bush meets John Cooper Clarke – that has made her a cult sensation in her own right."

Details: 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 6. The Van Buren, 401 W. Van Buren St., Phoenix. $26-$45.50. 866-468-3399, thevanburenphx.com.

3/7: Albert Hammond Jr.

Well, he is a member of the Strokes, whose debut album, "Is This It?," helped usher in the rock revival that however briefly had us thinking rock and roll would have a more successful time of it here in the 21st Century. And he's here in support of a great fourth album, "Francis Trouble," whose title refers to the stillborn death of his twin brother. If that sounds intensely personal for rock and roll, it is, but the effortless pop sensibilities make for a breezier ride than the title suggests.

Details: 8 p.m. Thursday, March 7. Crescent Ballroom, 308 N. Second Ave., Phoenix. $18.75-$28. 602-716-2222, crescentphx.com.

3/8: Rezz

The Canadian DJ/producer signed to Deadmau5's Mau5trap imprint in 2015, winning Electronic Album of the Year at the Juno Awards for her first full-length studio release, "Mass Manipulation," in 2017. and following through last year with "Certain Kind of Magic." Dancing Astronaut responded by declaring Rezz "the epitome of artistry through and through, and maybe it takes a Certain Kind of Magic for other's within her grasp to realize."

Details: 7 p.m. Friday, March 8. Rawhide, 5700 W. North Loop Rd., Chandler. $43. 800-653-8000, www.relentlessbeats.com.

3/8-10: Ostrich Festival

The 31st annual Chandler Chamber of Commerce Ostrich Festival features Flo Rida Friday, the Commodores Saturday and Andy Grammar Sunday.

Flo Rida is best known for such huge multi-platinum smashes as "Low," "Right Round," "Good Feeling," "Wild Ones," "Whistle," "G.D.F.R." and "My House." The Commodores are a Grammy-winning R&B/funk band whose hits include "Brickhouse," "Three Times a Lady" and "Still." Grammar is a pop singer best known for "Honey, I'm Good."

Details: March 8-10. 2 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. Saturday-Sunday. $15; $4 for children age 4-12; Free under age 4. 480-588-8497, ostrichfestival.com.

3/9: Billy Joel

This is Joel's first Phoenix concert since 2014 and his first time ever at the ballpark, where one can probably expect to hear such massive hits as "It's Still Rock and Roll to Me," "My Life," "We Didn't Start the Fire," "Piano Man" and "Uptown Girl." This show is part of the Billy Joel in Concert Tour, which began in 2014 and has included a once-a-month residency at Madison Square Garden. His Jan. 24 performance was his 60th consecutive sellout at the Garden.

Details: 8 p.m. Saturday, March 9. Chase Field, 401 E. Jefferson, Phoenix. $49.50 and up. 800-745-3000, ticketmaster.com.

3/9: Joe Jackson

Is it really the 40th anniversary of Jackson's U.S. breakthrough with the New Wave classic "Is She Really Going Out With Him?" It really is.

But this tour isn't celebrating that so much as looking sharp at five specific albums he's released in those same 40 years: "Look Sharp" (1979) "Night And Day" (1982) "Laughter And Lust" (1991) "Rain" (2008) and this year's model "Fool"

Details: 8 p.m. Saturday, March 9. Orpheum Theatre, 203 W. Adams St., Phoenix. $35-$100. 800-282-4842, phoenix.ticketforce.com.

3/9: Flying Burrito Music & Food Fest

The Flying Burrito Festival returns with music on four stages, Lucha Libre wrestling and more than 50 types of burritos. What more could you possibly want?

This year's lineup features Calexico paying tribute to Gram Parson of Flying Burrito Brothers, Bane's World, Sergio Mendoza Y La Orkesta, Donna Missal, the Suffers, Soft Kill, The Kvb, Playboy Manbaby, Jerusafunk, Calumet, Mariachi Rubor, Kolars, Nanami Ozone, Pinky Pinky, Pro Teens, Illuminati Hotties, Strange Lot, Numb.Er, Mute Swan, Bizou, Hazey Eyes, Bogan Via, Jerry Paper and Citrus Clouds.

Details: 4 p.m. Saturday, March 9. Crescent Ballroom, 308 N. Second Ave., Phoenix. $12. 602-716-2222, crescentphx.com.

3/9: Neal Morse Band

Singer/guitarist/keyboardist Neal Morse brings drummer Mike Portnoy, bassist Randy George, keyboardist Bill Hubauer and guitarist Eric Gillette to Chandler in support of a new double-record concept album called "The Great Adventure." In a press release, Morse says, “I have to say it was a little daunting to follow up 'The Similitude of a Dream' as it was such a special album and delivered every night at our concerts, but I believe 'The Great Adventure' will have a tremendous impact as well."

Details: 8 p.m. Saturday, March 9. Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave. $55-$75. 480-782-2680, chandlercenter.org.

3/9: Blues Blast

Hosted by the Phoenix Blues Society, this family-friendly event includes local and national blues artists, local merch vendors, a variety of food and a kids' art zone, where they get to paint a mural that extends halfway around the park.

Artists performing include the legendary Paladins, the 44s, Chuck Hall, Geo Bowman, Cadillac Assembly Line, Joe Kopicki and a special presentation from the Guitars4Vets Band

Details: 10 a.m. Saturday, March 9. Margaret T. Hance Park, 1202 N. Third St., Phoenix. $15-$30. 602-252-0599, phoenixblues.org.

3/10: The Roadshow

Now in its 10th year, the Roadshow tour brings Matthew West, Michael W. Smith, Tenth Avenue North, Matt Maher and Leanna Crawford to Grand Canyon University for an evening of contemporary Christian music. West has topped the Christian charts with several hits, including "More," "You Are Everything," "The Motions" and "Hello, My Name Is."

Details: 6 p.m. Sunday, March 10. Grand Canyon University Arena, 3300 W. Camelback Road, Phoenix. Three-day passes, $20-$160. 877-552-7362, gcuarena.com.

3/11: Wand

These psychedelic rockers are touring the States in support of "Plum," a fourth album that finds them expanding the scope of their sound beyond the garage-rock revival of "Ganglion Reef," their debut, arriving at something that's frequently closer to art-rock.

Paste magazine notes that before "Plum," "It would have been fine to have regarded them as yet another good band living under the punk-y parasol of the neo-psych-garage revolution. Only, 'Plum' has quite simply separated them completely from the fray."

Details: 8 p.m. Monday, March 11. Rebel Lounge, 2303 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix. $15; $13 in advance. 602-296-7013, therebellounge.com.

3/11: Low

These slowcore veterans are touring in support of "Double Negative," an album that finished in the Top 10 in the Village Voice's Pazz & Jap poll, America’s most comprehensive survey of what music critics think you need to hear. It earned a perfect score at musicOMH.com, whose critic declared it "an album that will endure for a long time" and "a thrilling development that proves how Low continue to release music of extremely high standards, restlessly creative and never content to stand still.

Details: 8 p.m. Monday, March 11. Valley Bar, 130 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. $20. 602- 368-3121, valleybarphx.com.

3/12: Baroness

These Atlanta metal heavyweights earned raves in 2016 for an album called "Purple" after welcoming new members to replace the two who bailed in the wake of a near-fatal bus crash in 2012 and recruiting producer Dave Fridmann of Flaming Lips fame. This is a co-headlining tour with Deafheaven, who earned a Grammy nomination in the Best Metal Performance category for "Honeycomb” from this year's exceptional (and exceptionally heavy) "Ordinary Corrupt Human Love."

Details: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 12. The Van Buren, 401 W. Van Buren St., Phoenix. $29.50-$34. 866-468-3399, thevanburenphx.com.

3/13 Sha Na Na

The group appeared at the Woodstock Festival, offering ‘50s nostalgia to a very stoned ‘60s crowd. But it worked, with the band moving into television with their own variety show and an appearance on the big screen in “Grease,” which is pretty much the height of ‘50s nostalgia through a ‘70s lens.

Details: 4 and 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 13. Val Vista Villages Resort, 233 N. Val Vista Drive, Mesa. $30-$45. 480-832-2550, cal-am.com.

3/14: Uncle Acid & the Deadbeats

These U.K. rockers are headed to Phoenix on the Peace Across the Wasteland Tour with Graveyard in support of "Wasteland," a headphone record of psychedelic stoner rock that manages a perfect blend of heavy and hypnotic. Kerrang! declared the latest from Kevin A. Starrs and his Deadbeats "another masterful, kaleidoscopic trip from your favourite freaked-out uncle"

Details: 8 p.m. Thursday, March 14. The Van Buren, 401 W. Van Buren St., Phoenix. $25-$30. 866-468-3399, thevanburenphx.com.

3/15: Zac Brown Band

They've topped the Billboard country charts with eight songs — five-times-platinum "Chicken Fried," "Toes," "Highway 20 Ride," "Free," "As She's Walking Away," "Colder Weather," double-platinum "Knee Deep" and "Keep Me in Mind." The Boston Globe responded to their shows at Fenway Park with, “Zac Brown Band has amassed its stadium-filling following for being unpredictable, a combination of its musical chops and seemingly endless desire to please crowds.”

Details: 7 p.m. Friday, March 15. Ak-Chin Pavilion, 2121 N. 83rd Ave., Phoenix. $36.50 and up. 602-254-7200, livenation.com.

3/15: The Revivalists

Over the next few weeks, these groove-based jam-scene veterans will embark on the next leg of their Take Good Care Tour with sold-out shows in St. Louis, Chicago and Austin), tape an episode of "Austin City Limits," headline their stage at New Orleans’ Jazz & Heritage Festival and perform at Mountain Jam and LOCKN’ Festivals.

Rolling Stone credits their popularity on the festival circuit to "a dynamic live show and singer David Shaw's soulful howl," although we're sure the horns help.

Details: 8 p.m. Friday, March 15. Marquee Theatre, 730 N. Mill Ave., Tempe. $45-$75. 480-829-0607, luckymanonline.com.

3/15: Blaqk Audio

Their publicist sent out a press release whose subject heading read: "Depeche Mode + New Order Fans Should Check Out 'The Viles' From Blaqk Audio."

To which we say, "And that should come as no surprise to fans of 2016's 'Material,' the previous release from AFI members Davey Havok and Jade Puget indulging their techno-pop revival fantasies." "The Viles" is the first single out of the box from "Only Things We Love," an album that arrives the same day they play Phoenix.

Details: 9 p.m. Friday, March 15. Crescent Ballroom, 308 N. Second Ave., Phoenix. $28; $25 in advance. 602-716-2222, crescentphx.com.

3/16-17: Pot of Gold Festival

Lucky Man Concerts and Steve Levine Entertainment are bringing out the stars for the fifth annual Pot of Gold Music Festival, with Post Malone, Lil Wayne and Ozuna topping the bill as the festival moves to its new home at Steele Indian School Park. Other acts include Ice Cube, Snoop Dogg, Kodak Black, Jhene Aiko, Young Thug, Lil Pump, Tinashe, Young M.A, Lil Baby, Ski Mask The Slump God, Gunna, Preme, Doja Cat, Tyla Yaweh, Young Dolph, Asian Doll, SAINT JHN and more.

Details: Friday-Sunday, March, 16-17. Steele Indian School Park, 300 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix. $130 and up, single day; $199 and up, two day. 480-829-0607, luckymanonline.com.

3/17: Chris Tomlin

The Grammy-winning Christian-music superstar is touring in support of "Holy Roar." Tomlin explained the album title in an interview with Billboard. “Holy means set apart completely, unlike anything else. It’s a word really reserved for God. And the word roar, you instinctively know what that word sounds like, what it feels like. Webster’s Dictionary says it’s a long, full prolonged sound or to sing and shout with full force."

Details: 7 p.m. Sunday, March 17. Gila River Arena, 9400 W. Maryland Ave., Glendale. $18 and up. 623-772-3800, ticketmaster.com.

3/17: Earth, Wind & Fire

Earth, Wind & Fire took funk to the masses with such consistency and soul that "The Rolling Stone Album Guide" suggests, "It could be argued that 'The Best of Earth, Wind & Fire' portrays the best singles band of the '70s." They went Top 40 14 times that decade and began the '80s with one of their most enduring hits, "Let's Groove." Hits include "September," "Shining Star" and "After the Love Has Gone."

Details: 7:30 p.m. Sunday, March 17. Comerica Theatre, 400 W. Washington St., Phoenix. 800-745-3000, livenation.com.

3/17: Nils Frahm

This German composer is known for combining synthesizer loops and classical piano to intoxicating, ambient effect on efforts as inspired as “All Melody,” his latest album. Drowned in Sound said, “It’s continuously changing, perfectly timed, evenly spaced - an impeccable album” while the A.V. Club called it “a vibrant, exploratory album born from Frahm’s newly constructed Berlin studio and the freedom to experiment it allowed.”

Details: 8 p.m. Sunday, March 17. The Van Buren, 401 W. Van Buren St., Phoenix. $37 and up. 866-468-3399, thevanburenphx.com.

3/17: Gordon Lightfoot

The singer-songwriter plays Phoenix as part of a tour celebrating his 80th birthday, promising a mix of hit songs as career-defining as “If You Could Read My Mind,” and “The Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald" and deeper album cuts.

He'll also share personal anecdotes and behind-the-scenes stories from 50-plus years in the business.

Details: 8 p.m. Sunday, March 17. Celebrity Theatre, 440 N. 32nd St., Phoenix. $35-$75. 602-267-1600, celebritytheatre.com.

3/17: Raffi

If you were born in the '70s, '80s or '90s, there's a good chance a Raffi song is part of your childhood. The singer-songwriter became a huge name in children's entertainment, able to sell out such tony venues as Carnegie Hall in his prime. The tour is dubbed #belugagrads, in honor of his 1980 favorite "Baby Beluga."

Details: 1 p.m. Sunday, March 17. Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Main St. $35.50-$81.50. 480-644-6560, mesaartscenter.com.

3/18: Jacquees

This Georgia native arrives in support of "4275," a collection of sexed-up R&B songs boasting guest appearances from Birdman, Trey Songz, Chris Brown, Dej Loaf and Young Thug, among others.

Pitchfork responded with "Jacquees’ music may be simple and familiar, but the personality he brings to it could charm the pants off a mannequin."

Details: 8 p.m. Monday, March 18. Marquee Theatre, 730 N. Mill Ave., Tempe. $30-$60. 480-829-0607, luckymanonline.com.

3/18: Catfish and the Bottlemen

Singer Van McCann cites the Strokes and Oasis as primary influences (and you can definitely hear that) while saying his ultimate goal is to be bigger than both. So he already has the “talking like a proper British rock star” thing down to a science. But he also puts his music where his mouth is.

“The Ride” is packed with worthy new additions to the 21st century Britpop box sets of the future, at times suggesting where the Arctic Monkeys could have gone if they hadn’t decided they’d rather be Queens of the Stone Age.

Details: 8 p.m. Monday, March 18. The Van Buren, 401 W. Van Buren St., Phoenix. $32-$35. 866-468-3399, thevanburenphx.com.

3/19: Nick Mason's Saucerful of Secrets

This is the Pink Floyd drummer's first U.S. tour with this project, which puts the focus squarely on the legendary rockers' early psychedelic years. The last time Mason played the States was Pink Floyd’s 1994 tour in support of "The Division Bell." In a press release, Mason said, “With the help of some like-minded friends, I have embarked on a voyage of discovery of the music that was the launch pad of Pink Floyd and my working life. It seems too early to retire, and I missed the interaction.”

Details: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 19. Comerica Theatre, 400 W. Washington St., Phoenix. $48.50 and up. 800-745-3000, livenation.com.

3/19: Jamey Johnson

In an age when all it takes to earn a new traditionalist label is to add a little pedal-steel guitar to the proceedings, Johnson is an old-school New Traditionalist.

His latest album is a tribute to Hank Cochran, the Country Music Hall of Famer who co-wrote Patsy Cline's "I Fall to Pieces." And consider the guest list Johnson managed to assemble for that stellar effort: Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Kris Kristofferson, George Strait, Emmylou Harris, Elvis Costello and Ray Price, to name a few.

Details: 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 19. The Van Buren, 401 W. Van Buren St., Phoenix. $35.50. 866-468-3399, thevanburenphx.com.

3/19: Mandolin Orange

The North Carolina bluegrass duo are taking a five-piece band on the road in support of an understated treasure of an album called "Tides of a Teardrop."

The vocal blend Andrew Marlin and Emily Frantz have honed in the course of six albums serves them well on such obvious highlights as "Into the Sun" and "Like You Used To." PopMatters writes that the album "contributes to a repertoire exhibiting Mandolin Orange's ability to capture musical beauty."

Details: 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 19. Crescent Ballroom, 308 N. Second Ave., Phoenix. SOLD OUT. 602-716-2222, crescentphx.com.

3/20: Why Don't We

The new pop sensations are launching their biggest tour yet at Comerica Theatre in support of "8 Letters," their first album, which debuted at No. 9 on Billboard's album chart.

Are they the N 'Sync of their generation? When they recently performed the album's title track on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!," Rolling Stone wrote that “…the crowd’s screams and shrieks of glee nearly overpowered the musicians’ voices."

Details: 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 20. Comerica Theatre, 400 W. Washington St., Phoenix. $39.50 and up. 800-745-3000, livenation.com.

3/21: Ryan Bingham

This LA singer-songwriter may be best known in the mainstream for his work on "Crazy Heart," the film for which he sang and collaborated with T Bone Burnett on the writing of the "The Weary Kind," the Oscar-winning movie's theme song.

He also won a Critic's Choice Award, a Grammy and a Golden Globe for that same song. But he's no one-trick pony, as evidenced on "American Love Song," a gritty collection of roots-rock songs that filter their Americana through the Rolling Stones.

Details: 8 p.m. Thursday, March 21. Crescent Ballroom, 308 N. Second Ave., Phoenix. SOLD OUT. 602-716-2222, crescentphx.com.

3/21: Laura Jane Grace & the Devouring Mothers

The voice of Against Me! arrives in support of her first album at the helm of Laura Jane Grace & The Devouring Mothers, a solo project she started in 2016. "Bought to Rot" is a soulful punk explosion that should speak directly to fans of Against Me!

The Guardian raved that Grace is "self-effacing, emotionally incisive and capable of inciting teenage fervour in cynical souls," adding that "there are few like her.

Details: 8 p.m. Thursday, March 21. Valley Bar, 130 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. $25. 602- 368-3121, valleybarphx.com.

3/22 Amanda Miguel and Diego Verdaguer

This long-married couple has maintained individual careers as well as a successful musical partnership. Miguel's hits include the epic ballad "Él Me Mintio" and the driving "El Gato y Yo" while Verdaguer has scored with "La Ladrona" and "Volveré."

Details: 8 p.m. Friday, March 22. Orpheum Theatre, 203 W. Adams St., Phoenix. $50-$110. 877-840-0457, phoenix.ticketforce.com.

3/23: Durand Jones & the Indications

The soul revival is in brilliant hands on "American Love Call," the second LP by Durand Jones & the Indications. It sounds like something Robert Forster's character in "Jackie Brown" might reach for when the tape deck has eaten his favorite Delfonics cassette.

Q Magazine calls it "a giant leap from their 2016 debut," adding, "Critical is the discovery of drummer Aaron Frazer's falsetto voice, leading six of the 12 songs, he's doubled the band's stylistic and emotional range."

Details: 8 p.m. Friday, March 22. Crescent Ballroom, 308 N. Second Ave., Phoenix. SOLD OUT. 602-716-2222, crescentphx.com.

3/23 Garth Brooks

Brooks is the reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year, an honor he's won six times.

He's also the first artist ever to receive seven Diamond awards for albums that have sold more than 10 million U.S. copies and the biggest-selling solo artist in U.S. history with more than 148 million album sales.

Brooks recently finished a three-and-a-half-year world tour with Trisha Yearwood, which sold than 6.3 million tickets, making it the biggest North American tour in history.

Details: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 23. State Farm Stadium, Loop 101 and Glendale Avenue, Glendale. Sold out. 623-433-7101, statefarmstadium.com.

3/23: Pancho Barraza

This singer-songwriter became involved in traditional Mexican Norteño and banda music after moving to Mazatlán and becoming involved with Banda San Sebastian and Banda Camino.

He established himself as a solo artists when his 1995 debut, "Mis Canciones De Amor," became a hit.

Details: 8 p.m. Saturday, March 23. Comerica Theatre, 400 W. Washington St., Phoenix. $72.50 and up. 800-745-3000, livenation.com.

3/23: Method Man & Redman

They were both doing well for themselves before the team-up. Method Man had Wu-Tang Clan and Redman topped the rap charts with his first hit, "Blow Your Mind." But when they did hook up, sparks flew on the platinum album, "Blackout!" — spinning off three classic rap hits, "Tear It Off," "Y.O.U." and "Da Rockwilder."

Two years later, they starred in a film adaptation of one of their songs, "How High." Since then, they've had their own sitcom called "Method & Red" on Fox and dropped a sequel to their breakthrough, "Blackout! 2."

Details: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 23. The Pressroom, 441 W. Madison St., Phoenix. $20. 602-396-7136, thepressroomaz.com.

3/23: John Proulx Quartet

Some have compared this LA jazz piano player's vocals to a young Chet Baker, a frame of reference that's apparently not lost on Proulx, who recorded an album paying tribute to the trumpet-playing singer, “Baker’s Dozen – Remembering Chet Baker,” in 2009.

He's also an acclaimed composer who landed a co-write called "These Golden Years" on Nancy Wilson's Grammy-winning “Turned to Blue.” This show is presented by Lakeshore Music as part of its 10th anniversary season.

Details: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 23. Tempe Center for the Arts, 700 W. Rio Salado Parkway. $35. 480-352-2822, tempecenterforthearts.com.

3/23: Boy Harsher

These synth-pop revivalists are touring in support of "Careful," a brooding throwback to the golden age of post-punk that at times, as Tiny Mix Tapes writes, suggests "the dark, cool sweetness of early Eurythmics."

And this is a darkness that's rooted in personal trauma, inspired in part by Jae Matthews processing her mother's diagnosis with dementia and looking for catharsis as the symptoms worsened while also dreaming of escape. The end result is deeply moving.

Details: 9 p.m. Saturday, March 23. Rebel Lounge, 2303 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix. $15; $12 in advance. 602-296-7013, therebellounge.com.

3/24: Mike Doughty plays 'Ruby Vroom'

The former Soul Coughing front man is celebrating the 25th anniversary of their genre-defiant debut "Ruby Vroom," an album that filtered hip-hop through a prism so distinctly white and quirky as to stand apart from claims of cultural appropriation. This is cultural interpolation. And it's really weird. But in a good way.

Doughty is joined by a cellist, a bassist and a guitar player, performing "Ruby Vroom" in its entirety, in the original sequence, as well as additional highlights from his oeuvre."

Details: 8 p.m. Sunday, March 24. Crescent Ballroom, 308 N. Second Ave., Phoenix. $22-$3 602-716-2222, crescentphx.com.

MORE MUSIC:

Reach the reporter at ed.masley@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-4495. Follow him on Twitter @EdMasley.

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