Pop: The five best gigs

1

Orbital Tomorrow and Mon

Most anticipated tour of the year so far. Orbital make techno a thrilling live experience and you don't get much more innovative than that. Essential.

University, Exeter (0990 3232) Sun; Colston Hall, Bristol (07-922 3686) Mon

2

Underworld Tonight

The dancefloor has been levelled out and the doors opened until 3am for what should be a blasting finish to their Beaucoup Fish tour.

Brixton Academy, London SW9 (07-77 2000) tonight

3

Afghan Whigs Tomorrow

The most soulful, bittersweet rock'n' roll that has come out of the US in the 990s. The Whigs are brilliant but their singer can be odd on stage.

Astoria, London W (07-434 0403)

4

Feeder Tonight, tomorrow and Thur

End dates of the first short tour of 999 from the exciting guitar- blasting trio.

Zodiac, Oxford (0865 420042) tonight; Junction, Cambridge (0223 55) tomorrow; Waterfront, Norwich (0603 764764) Thur

5

Catatonia Fri and Sat 20 Mar

A double date at the 4,000-capacity Academy for the wailing, screaming, much-photographed Catatonia.

Brixton Academy, London SW9 (07-77 2000) Fri

...AND FIVE WITH A CELTIC FLAVOUR

Celtic Flame

Umbrella showcase for Irish stars, including Mary Black, Donal Lunny, Sharon Shannon and Luka Bloom.

Royal Albert Hall, London SW7 (07-589 822) Wed; Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham (05-989 5555) Thur; St Davids Hall, Cardiff (0222 287 8444) Fri

Shane MacGowan & the Popes

Heavy-drinking St Patrick's Night bash.

Forum, London NW5 (07-344 0044) Wed

The Men They Couldn't Hang

Ditto.

Mean Fiddler, London NW0 (08-963 0940) Wed

Eddi Reader

Part of the venue's St Pat's Weekender with the ubiquitous "special guest".

Mean Fiddler, London NW0 (08-963 0940) Thur

The Lanterns + Paddy Casey

The new sound of Scottish high-rise estates.

Improv Theatre, London W (07-344 4444) Tue