Prima Queen play Lafayette [Bonnie Ophelia]

MAE Muller, you deserved better! Just when the United Kingdom finally starts entering credible artists into the Eurovision Song Contest – after a stream of ropey entrants was decisively ended with Sam Ryder’s soaring vocals last year – hopes were high for Kentish Town singer Mae’s sassy Dua Lipa-esque Eurovision entry. The song was strong (it’s been living in my head for days), the attitude was on point – some issues with the sound perhaps weakened the live performance – but the competition was fierce. As Eurovision progresses from its cheesy roots to something more modern (while maintaining the bizarre) the quality increases, making success difficult but the scores did not reflect the quality of Mae’s entry – a fierce substitute for I Will Survive for the TikTok generation.

• You never know what you might find when you step into one of London’s many small music venues – or even when you step onstage. Alt rock band Borderline Toxic found themselves unexpectedly under the spotlight at their gig at Upper Street’s Slim Jim’s Liquor Store when Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong jumped onstage to join them on his band’s hit Basket Case – that’s the joy of small music venues.

• Join the vinyl revival at the Independent Label Market at Coal Drops Yard on Saturday – stock up at some of the best indie labels where you may also find some rare vinyls, test pressings, extended back catalogues, signed merch and advanced copies – get there early for the good stuff. Last year I snapped up artwork by Jarvis Cocker and a limited Libertines 7-inch. And to keep the day going, London Brewers’ Market will have a selection of artisan beer, there are DJ sets and live music and a craft makers and artists corner – so much to do!

• If Daisy Jones and the Six has brought Fleetwood Mac vibes into your life – and you can’t wait around forever for the Mac to decide if they will ever tour again – catch the next best thing when the Mick Fleetwood-endorsed Rumours of Fleetwood Mac play Cadogan Hall on May 20.

• After the success of their recent secret show at Green Note, Norman Blake (Teenage Fanclub), Bernard Butler (Suede and McAlmont and Butler) and James Grant return for a two-night residency on July 31-August 2. Sign up for Green Note’s newsletter and get a code for early bird ticket access in their next mailout.

• Upcoming songwriting duo and best friends Prima Queen play Lafayette on May 23.

• The Syrian Arts & Culture Festival continues this week with a busy programme of events including a special appearance from brothers Hasan and Rami Nakhleh aka Toot Ard at Jazz Café on May 23. Also coming up at Jazz Café are world famous sideman Fred Wesley & The New JBs, James Brown’s backing band (May 22-23); hip-hop wordsmith Oddisee and his five-piece band Good Company (May 25); multi-platinum Grammy award-winning group Arrested Development (May 26-27); A celebration of Amy Winehouse songs performed by a full live band (May 28) and grime stalwart Manga Saint Hilaire (May 29).

• Those curiosities behind the successful Age Against The Machine and Feeling Gloomy club nights launch Old School Indie Club – the indie night for the over 30s at The Phoenix on May 26.

• More upcoming gigs: May 19 – Father John Misty with the BBC Symphony Orchestra, Barbican; Itchy Teeth, Green Note; Christian Löffler, Roundhouse; Artifacts, Jazz Café; Ian Prowse + amsterdam + Pele + Fireworks, 100 Club; May 20 – Moor Mother: Jazz Codes, Barbican; Dan Patlansky, Dingwalls; James Ellis Ford, Roundhouse Studio Theatre; The Original One Step Behind 30th Anniversary Reunion Show + DJs We Got Killers, The Dublin Castle; Hot 8 Brass Band, Roundhouse; The Allergies, Jazz Café; The Long Ryders, 229; May 21 – Radwimps, Roundhouse; May 22 – Sodi Cookey, The Forge; May 23 – Mitch James, Camden Assembly; Jontavious Willis, The Forge; May 24 – Colosseum live, The Forge; French The Kid, Koko; Glen Matlock and friends, 100 Club; May 25 – Luke Jackson, Cecil Sharp House; GoGo Penguin, Roundhouse; Model / Actriz, The Lexington; SBTRKT, Outernet; May 26 – The Hip Priests, Hope and Anchor; The Band Camino, Roundhouse; The Schmoozenbergs, Green Note; May 26-27 – Billie Marten + Lea Sen, Lafayette; May 27 – Media Giant, The Social; Rival Consoles, Barbican; The Chats, Roundhouse; May 28 – IT Man, Lower Third; Mr Streetz, The Fiddlers Elbow; May 29 – The Moldy Peaches, Roundhouse; Tara MacLean, The Camden Club; Destroy Boys, Lafayette; May 30 – Armani Caesar, Jazz Café; Baaba Maal, Barbican; May 31 – Chuck Prophet & The Mission Express, Live, The Garage; The Deep Blue, Camden Assembly De Fuego album launch, Green Note; GA-20 + PM Warson + DJ Diddy Wah, 100 Club; The Big Moon, Roundhouse; June 1 – The Lemon Twigs + Tchotchke, Electric Ballroom; Scary Pockets, Jazz Café; Bongeziwe Mabandla, 100 Club; Cosmo Pyke, The Social; Along the Road, Cecil Sharp House; June 1-2 – Ice Nine Kills, The Forum.