Ellie Goulding to kick off The Q Awards 2012 gigs series

Q Awards are delighted to announce the line up for this year's series of exclusive shows to launch the 2012 Q Awards.

Following a stomping line-up last year, the bar has been raised once again for three gigs that will leave audiences with ringing ears and beaming smiles.

The Jazz Café will play host to the first gig, with Ellie Goulding kicking off proceedings in style on Friday 5th October.

The star rose to fame after her debut studio album Lights went straight to number one in 2012 and it has sold over 850,000 copies in the UK. Since then, Goulding has seen her album's title track, 'Lights', go double platinum in the US and had the honour of performing at Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding reception at Buckingham Palace. She is set to release her follow-up album in October, titled Halcyon.

Ellie says,"I'm so excited to play this show with Q magazine. The venue is so intimate and has such a great history. It's also one of the first times I'll have played my new songs to everyone, which is a daunting but incredibly exciting feeling"

Professor Green will then take over the HMV Forum on Thursday 18th October. The Hackney-born rapper has collaborated with the likes of Lily Allen, Emeli Sandé, Labrinth and Example, as well as the legendary The Streets who first gave the rapper his big break in 2008. He is currently recording his third solo album after 2011's At Your Inconvenience went to number 3 in the UK charts which included number one hit 'Read All About It', featuring Emeli Sandé.

Professor Green is counting down the days, "I'm really excited to be a part of the Q Awards Show this year. I appreciate all the support I've had from Q so roll on October 18th"

The Cribs will then finish off the triumvirate of unbelievable gigs on Saturday 20th October, also at the HMV Forum. This three-piece band are described by Q Magazine as "The biggest cult band in the UK" and it is fair to say that their longevity proves this, with 2012 being their 10th year together. Their most recent album was released in February this year, and provided the band with their second UK Top 10 record.

Tickets will go on an exclusive PRE-SALE on www.aloud.com on 30th August. General on sale 31st August