LEADING folk singer Maddy Prior turns her attention to medieval king Richard I in her latest stage show.

Lionheart is an extended song cycle drawing on Maddy's love of history, mythology and tradition.

The Steeleye Span singer (pictured below) will also perform songs from throughout her three-decade career, at Leeds City Varieties, next Thursday.

Book tickets at Keighley Information Centre in the town hall, or phone 0113 243 0808.

nThe Wilderness will be back to full strength vocally when it plays the Coniston, Idle, tomorrow evening.

Louise Littlewood has missed recent gigs due to medical reasons but is now back with her two fellow female singers.

The Keighley band will include original material in its set along with new chart covers.

The Wilderness plays O'Neil's, Blackburn, next Wednesday, then the Snooty Fox, Oakworth, on Friday April 26.

The band's CDs are on sale at gigs.

nLocal bands will play live tomorrow (7.30-11pm) at Parkside Social Club, Haworth, as guests of Keighley music promoter Johann Shepherd.

Circus, Wet Paint, Powder Monkeys and Operator 6 will be onstage between 7.30pm and 11pm.

Johann's Koe Music is launching its Hear Plug monthly CD compilation with a free event (1.30pm) in the Butt Lane club.

Tickets for the gig cost £4 from the daytime event, or first-come first-served on the door at night. Tickets are limited.

n The American Festival of the Blues returns to Halifax with performers Bobby Parker Jr, Louisiana Red and Deitra Farr.

Otis Grand and the Big Blues Band will support the stars on April 30 at the Victoria Theatre. Book on 01422 351158.

nPlaying live: power pop trio Nada Surf, Hop and Grape, Manchester, May 7; Depeche Mode member Dave Gahan, Move Festival, Manchester, July 12; Bandits, Har Mar Superstar & Hot Hot Heat, Manchester Hop and Grape (April 30) and Leeds Cockpit (May 6); Dandy Warhols, Manchester Academy, May 18, Leeds University, 21.