1) Stow Festival

An evening that 'sticks two fingers up to austerity', a man whose debut album prompted death threats and a preview of a song entitled Boil Yer Blood- this year's Stow Festival is not pulling any punches.

The fifth annual event will feature a trio of defiant headliners and Saturday's gig from Walthamstow resident Jim Jones and his band The Righteous Mind has already sold out.

But never fear as the line-up boasts more than 100 bands and performers in 20 venues across E17 including Thursday headliner Walthamstow singer/songwriter Rhys Williams who will be launching his second, yet-to-be-titled album and Friday headliner veteran folk-punk troubadour Attila the Stockbroker with support from E17’s premier folk-punk collective Steve White and the Protest Family.

In addition to the musical acts, other festival will also include children's workshops, a walking tour of Walthamstow's rich musical history, and talks.

Various venues, September 17 to 20. Details:thestowfestival.com

2) ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships

Don’t miss out on your chance to cheer on Team GB as they take on the World’s best paddlers. See 300 of the world’s top Canoe Slalom athletes from 55 countries take on the technically demanding Olympic course at Lee Valley White Water Centre and battle it out at the largest global canoeing event outside of the Olympic Games.

The action-packed week of competition includes great entertainment for all the family.

Lee Valley White Water Centre, Station Road,Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire, EN9 1AB, September 16 to 20. Details: canoelondon2015.com

3) Dalai Lama

He became leader of Tibet aged 15, won the Nobel Prize in 1989 and last month appeared at Glastonbury the week before his 80th birthday. Whether you are a follower of Buddism of not there is no denying His Holiness is a pretty cool guy. Now he is returning to England to share more of his wisdom and humour and draw on his decades of life experience and extensive practice of meditation for a public address entitled Compassion: The Foundation of Well-Being.

He says: "Compassion is a marvel of human nature, a precious inner resource and the foundation of our well-being and the harmony of our societies."

The O2, Peninsula Square, SE10 0DX, Saturday, September 19. Details: 0844 856 0202, theo2.co.uk

4) The Jam: About the Young Idea presents - Growing Up With The Jam

An exclusive Q&A with Nicky and Ann Weller; frontman Paul Weller’s sister and mother, which complements exhibition The Jam: About the Young Idea. From its earliest days the band; completed by drummer Rick Buckler and bassist Bruce Foxton, was always something of a family concern. Paul and Nicky’s father John was the band manager throughout their history, and Nicky ran the fan club from home for much of her adolescence. Nicky and Ann explore the origins of this hugely popular band, their impact both then and now and what it was like growing up in 1970s Britain.

Somerset House, Strand, WC2R 1LA, Saturday, September 19, 1pm to 2.15pm. Details: somersethouse.org.uk

5) Richard Thompson

The multi-talented British singer-songwriter performs in support of his latest album, Still, which was produced by Jeff Tweedy of Wilco. Thompson's career now spans five decades, from his formative years as lead guitarist and budding songwriter in seminal folk-rock band Fairport Convention to his acclaimed solo work.

Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, SE1 8XX, Sunday, September 20, 7.30pm. Details: 020 7960 4200, southbankcentre.co.uk