Here’s the latest column from the pen (or keys) of the good folks at The Lemon Tree:

October was an amazing month at The Lemon Tree. We played host to Mercury Prize nominees Field Music and The Charlatans’ Tim Burgess as well as up-and-comers such as Three Blind Wolves alongside many more. November doesn’t really let up and we’ve a real mix of shows with something for everyone this month.

We kick start things on the 2nd with the brilliant Lau, a contemporary three-piece who are considered one of the most innovative and exciting modern folk bands. Comprising three outstanding musicians in Kris Drever, Martin Green and Aiden O’Rourke this is a show for music aficionados or anyone just looking to enjoy a great night out.

Tommy Smith’s Karma (7th November) represents the exciting new direction of the leading jazz saxophonist. Mixing grooving rhythms with sounds influenced from Ireland and Scotland all the way to Japan and the Middle East this is certain to be an intriguing show. The tour will surely cement his position as one of Europe’s best jazz musicians and will demonstrate the inventiveness and energy of the quartet.

The North-East’s own Sandi Thom comes back to her roots with her new album Flesh and Blood. Recorded with a backing band featuring members of the Black Crowes and Rolling Stones collaborators, it takes Sandi in a whole new direction from her previous outings. Taking to the stage on the 11th, we’re certainly pleased to have her back at the venue and look forward to seeing a good turnout to welcome back a local lass come good!

The Coronas are an up-and-coming band  from Ireland and will give us a sample of their indie-rock anthems on the 16th. Having beaten the likes of Snow Patrol and U2 to win Best Irish Album at the 2010 Meteor Awards, they’ve grown in stature in their home country and take to the road with their third studio album Closer To You – which was released at the end of 2011. Having toured with The Script and Paul McCartney they’re now out to impress with their own headline shows.

Ska-legends The Beat visit The Lemon Tree on the 23rd for what will undoubtedly be a lively show. Having formed in working-class suburbs of Birmingham in 1978, they became a leading force in the Two-Tone ska movement alongside The Specials and are still going strong. Make sure you get along to hear the likes of ‘Tears of a Clown’, ‘Mirror in the Bathroom’, ‘Too Nice to Talk To’ and ‘Can’t Get Used to Losing You.’

The award winning Scottish singer-songwriter Karine Polwart visits us on the 24th to promote her recent album Traces – her first album in four years. Her songs deal with the different sides of humanity, all told with her honest lyrics and pure vocals. This one is selling fast so get in quick to avoid disappointment.

We’ve a cracker on the cards with the return of Bill Wells and Aidan Moffat and the critically-acclaimed duo will be at The Lemon Tree on the 26th. Having released ‘Everything’s Getting Older’ in 2011, the album was placed 17th in the Mojo albums of the year list and won the inaugural Scottish Album of the Year Award. The combination of Moffat’s observational lyrics and Wells’ blissful soundtrack results in music that everyone will find enticing. Don’t miss this one!

The 27th will see John Wheeler of Hayseed Dixie visit us on his solo tour. Best known for being the singer of the bluegrass covers band (imagine AC/DC played by hillbillies!) he takes his jazz-punk-folk-funk brand of music on the road to give us a taste of what to expect from his first solo album.

We close off November with Wiszniewski/Stevenson New Focus on the 29th in association with Jazz at the Blue Lamp. The show sees Konrad Wiszniewski and Euan Stevenson perform with the Glasgow String Quartet and is a great way to lead us into the festive period, so get your tickets now!

Despite having a busy few months, we’re still planning ahead and are putting new shows on all the time. In the last few weeks, we have Lemon Tree onsales for The Complete Stone Roses, Donnie Munro, Gun, From the Jam and the Fence Records Collective with James Yorkston, The Pictish Trail and Seamus Fogerty. We’ve also just announced Frightened Rabbit at the Music Hall as well so we’ve some great gigs in the coming months. Tickets for all shows can be booked by visiting www.boxofficeaberdeen.com, calling 01224 641122 or visiting the venue box offices.