Alison Goldfrapp plays HERE at Outerneton, May 18 [Mat Maitland]

EUROVISION isn’t for everyone but I still find myself adding three or four songs to my playlist from every year’s selection – which this year will undoubtedly include ballads from women in floaty dresses, a quirky scandi pop outfit, a trad folk / rap / rock mash-up, a bunch of ghoulish death metallers, several baby-faced pop idols, a cool chanteuse from France and countless zany – yes, that word is just about apt – other performances plus Kentish Town’s own Mae Muller representing the UK.

If that isn’t entertaining enough, there’s always a chance that something unscripted will happen, or you can turn it into a drinking game, set up a sweepstake or join one of the Everyman Cinema watch parties screening the final live on May 13 with tickets including a welcome drink, snacks and a scorecard to join in the judging action! Don’t forget the semi-finals on May 9 and 11 where the more outlandish efforts are often knocked out too early.

• Double MOBO Award-winning musician, author and philanthropist YolanDa Brown OBE and music manager Adetonkunbo “T” Oyelola have big plans to open a new grass roots jazz, soul and reggae music venue and restaurant in Islington. Soul Mama, opening in Islington Square in August, will be funded by a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign, which the founders hope will raise enough to properly soundproof the venue, kit out the kitchen and programme an eclectic line-up of artists.

• Synth-pop singer Alison Goldfrapp showcases her debut solo album The Love Invention at HERE at Outernet on May 18.

• Lana Del Rey has been announced as the final headliner at this year’s BST Hyde Park on July 9. She joins P!nk (June 24 + 25); Guns ‘n Roses (June 30), Take That (July 1); Blackpink (July 2); Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band (July 6 + 8) and Billy Joel (July 7) on what will be the festival’s 10th anniversary.

• Watch out for the Mods rolling through Upper Street on Saturday for the annual Mods Mayday all-day extravaganza at Islington Assembly Hall featuring Secret Affair + The Purple Hearts 2 + Nine Below Zero + The Chords UK + Small World + The Killermeters + Block 33 plus videos, mod stalls and exclusive merchandise. Also coming up at the Assembly Hall are Big Country + Spear of Destiny (May 5); Ned’s Atomic Dustbin + Bentley Rhythm Ace + James Atkins (EMF) DJ Set (May 7); Jesse Cook (May 9) and DRS (May 13).

• The Syrian Arts and Culture Festival takes place between May 11-23 – a celebration of music, cinema, dance and food from the region. The opening night celebrates Aleppo, its music and musicians at Grand Junction, W2, featuring a screening of Maqamat Almasara focusing on classical Arabic musician Sabri Moudallal, a panel discussion and a musical performance by Nawa Band (May 11), then Bedouin Burger headline Oslo Hackney on May 12 with support from Juline; and Tootard headline Jazz Café on May 23 supported by Balkan Express. See the full programme at https://sacf.art/2023-programme/

• Irish folk musicians The Daoiri Farrell Trio, led by Dublin-born singer and bouzouki player Daoiri Farrell, play Kings Place on May 5.

• Desertfest descends on Camden this weekend at Roundhouse / Dingwalls / Electric Ballroom / The Underworld / The Black Heart / The Devonshire Arms for three days (May 5-7) – see www.desertfest.co.uk for the line-up.

More upcoming gigs:

• May 5 – The Selecter, Koko; Ma Polaine, Green Note; Onoe Caponoe, Camden Assembly;

• May 6 – Camden Rocks All Dayer, Camden Assembly; When Rivers Meet + Breaker of Chains + Arielle, Lafayette; Elderbrook, The Forum; Unsound London, Barbican;

• May 7 –Stylo G, Jazz Café;

• May 8 – Saint Levant, Koko; Alison Goldfrapp, HERE at Outernet; Havoc (Mobb Deep), Jazz Café;

• May 9 – Victor Ray, Camden Assembly; Phoebe Go, The Social; Eliza Marshall’s Freedom To Roam, Cecil Sharp House;

• May 9-10 – Fun Lovin’ Criminals. The Forge;

• May 10 – Hannes, Camden Assembly; Eli Smart, The Social; May 11 – The Soap Girls! Camden Assembly; Omar Sheriff, The Forum; Eric Bibb, King’s Place; Atmosphere, Electric Ballroom; Binker Golding, The Forge; Ingrid Andress + Nick Wilson, Scala;

• May 11-13 – (The Pit) Erland Cooper: Folded Landscapes and Balmorhea Barbican-debut, Barbican;

• May 12 – Princes To Kings, Camden Assembly; Old Dirty Brasstard – Pop Punk performed by a 10-piece band, The Garage; Adriatique, Roundhouse; Carminho, Union Chapel; The Blockheads, 229;

• May 13 – The Mary Wallopers, The Forum; Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio, The Forge;

• May 13-14 – A Winged Victory for the Sullen, Barbican;

• May 15 – Khakkid, Camden Assembly; Wise Woman, Green Note; MDOU MOCTAR + Helm, Electric Ballroom;

• May 16 – Cornelia Jakobs, Lafayette; Dead Kennedys, Electric Ballroom;

• May 17 – Eddie Chacon, Koko; Ruby Waters, Camden Assembly; Matt Deighton, St Pancras Old Church; David Kitt, Jazz Café;

• May 18 – Wesley Joseph, Koko; John Doyle, Camden Club; Philip Selway, Union Chapel.