BE prepared for a Commotion at Pocklington Arts Centre. Lloyd Cole, best known for his Perfest Skin days as the leader of The Commotions in the Eighties, will play Pock on March 8.

Will he perform solo or will he bring a band that night? “It’s all a bit mysterious,” says arts centre assistant manager James Duffy. “We didn’t get any blurb about the show but we’re delighted to have him here.

“He’s definitely doing ten dates on his tour, and as to whether there’ll be new material, it’s not been revealed yet.”

Cole is one of several singer-songwriters who will be following in the footsteps of Tom Russell’s January 19 gig this season. Tonight’s 8pm solo show by Ivor Novello and Grammy award-winning Midge Ure has sold out already.

“He’s played here twice before and always sells out,” says James. “On this tour he’s presenting an intimate acoustic evening of his own classic songs, songs that have inspired him and stories. He has a fantastic voice still, and his current material is very topical.”

Brit-folk singer-songwriter Benjamin Francis Leftwich’s Pocklington debut on February 19 is a sell-out too. “It’s a place I really love,” says the 21-year-old York musician, who will be accompanied by a band for the first time on this month’s seven-date tour.

All tickets have gone too for Rosanne Cash – the late Johnny’s daughter – who makes her Pock bow on March 27 with her producer husband John Leventhal.

“We’re absolutely over the moon as we’re big fans here and have been for a long time, playing her 10 Song Demo and The List albums regularly,” says arts centre manager Janet Farmer.

“We contacted her through Twitter and within two days the show was booked. It’s just amazing that we’ve got her for here, because she’s playing venues like Sage in Gateshead and Union Chapel in London on this tour, so it’s a bit of a coup for us – and it’s as near to Johnny Cash as we’ll ever get.”

The Hamsters’ wheel is to stop turning but not before they play Pock once more on their 25th Year & Farewell Tour. Expect rock, blues, American and their regular supply of Jimi Hendrix and ZZ Top covers on March 1.

“It’s their final tour – or so they say, though they’re adamant it is. Time will tell. We’ll see,” says James.

Leeds band Ellen & The Escapades, winners of last year’s Glastonbury Emerging Talent Competition, return to Pock on March 2, having made their debut at the arts centre’s Tenth Anniversary Music Festival in August, 2010.

“They did a wonderful impromptu performance with Harper Simon in an alcove in the bar that day,” says Janet. “It was one of those special, magical moments festivals can produce.”

This time, Ellen will be previewing the band’s debut album ahead of its spring release. “She has a fabulous voice and I really hope that make it big,” says Janet. North Eastern folk favourites The Unthanks will present An Intimate Evening on May 13, a sold-out performance that forms part of a tour of cosier venues.

Acoustic blues musician Sean Taylor is booked in for March 31; folk/bluegrass band Southern Tenant Folk Union, for April 12; British folk-rock institution Fairport Convention, for May 3; Scottish folk singer-songwriter Karine Polwart, for May 19; and perennial Pock favourite Elkie Brooks, for May 22, when she will promote her latest album, Powerless.

Fans of The Felice Brothers and the short-lived The Duke & The King should put a circle around April 29 in their diary. That night Simone Felice, Catskill Mountains songwriter, drummer, singer, poet, novelist and open-heart surgery survivor, will combine songs from his days in both bands with new material from his self-titled debut album.

Set for release on April 2 on Reveal Records, the album features members of The Felice Brothers and British folkies Mumford & Sons, along with his new band line-up.

If you take a punt on one Pock gig above all others this season, the Simone Felice Group should be the one.

For tickets, phone 01759 301547or book online at pocklingtonartscentre.co.uk