for gigs around the Midlands try http://www.beat.co.uk/gigs/index.html

They offer a free alert service but I've never got anthing from that - it's just a matter of wading through all the pop stuff (unless you fancy catching Westlife in 2001!) to get to the gigs you're interested in then following up direct with the venue e.g. they've got a Robert Plant gig listed at Wolverhampton Civic Hall in December so I'll be chasing to see whether it really is solo gog or the folky Priory of Brion stuff.

Best of luck!