Weather boffins and tabloid headline writers are busy heralding the chaos that the #BeastFromTheEast is about to visit on us, but presuming we’re not all buried under 12 foot of snow for the next four weeks, there are plenty of gigs to make it worth braving the cold. Besides that, tickets for the Rolling Stones’ Murrayfield gig go on sale on Friday, presuming the cold snap hasn’t finished them off. Who are we kidding? They’ll outlive us all. And with their famous tax efficiency they’re bound to be claiming winter fuel payments. Anyway, here are five of the best things coming up in March.

Belle & Sebastian

Stuart Murdoch & co are in a productive spell at the mo, spurting out three EPs in quick succession like it was still the 1990s. Their TRNSMT Festival set last year was a little lacklustre, but perhaps this is a sign they’ve got their mojo back. Here’s your chance to find out.

@ Perth Concert Hall on Fri 23 Mar;
@ Usher Hall, Edinburgh on Sat 24 Mar;
@ SWG3, Glasgow on Sun 25 Mar

Gary Numan

Often unfairly maligned, the electro godfather came across as a thoroughly decent chap in his recent biopic. Even in his darkest days, he had his hardcore fans, so there is bound to be a lot of love in the room when he pops down to George Street.

@ Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh on Fri 16 Mar

Frightened Rabbit

Look away now if you’re of a nervous disposition. It is TEN YEARS since the Rabbit’s breakthrough album The Midnight Organ Fight. Celebrate an anniversary which will have you bidding your youth goodbye, if you can still get hold of tickets.

@ Art School, Glasgow on Sun 11 Mar;
@ Liquid Room, Edinburgh on Mon 12 Mar;
@ Academy, Glasgow on Sat 17 Mar

Joan Baez

Doyenne of the 60s American folk scene, Joan Baez is always a welcome visitor to these shores. Her last tour showed her still in fine voice and still with fire in the belly when it came to social justice. She’s set to stun our big city concert halls again.

@ Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow on Fri 16 Mar;
@ Usher Hall, Edinburgh on Sat 17 Mar

Paloma Faith

“The main themes of my album are environment, empathy, revolution and kindness.” When she puts it like that, Paloma Faith has more in common with Joan Baez than you’d think. Arena-goers in Glasgow and Aberdeen can enjoy the retro-styled one’s latest next week.

@ BHGE Arena, Aberdeen on Mon 5 Mar;
@ SSE Hydro, Glasgow on Tue 6 Mar