POP: THE FIVE BEST GIGS

Ken Kesey & the Merry Pranksters tomorrow & Wednesday

An anything-goes night of anarchic folk, chemical panto and readings with the Furthur bus parked on the Brixton stage.

Brixton Academy, London (0171-771 2000) tomorrow; Branwyn Hall Swansea (01792 463980)

Buckcherry Tue

Rock alert! The LA band never really depart from Guns 'N' Roses territory and AC/DC but as their recent album showed, they're relentless and full of heavy riffs, hooks and great tunes. Garage, London N5 (0171- 344 0044)

The Crocketts Wed

Aberystwyth's finest rocking cowpunks join in the Kerrang week festivities

as "special surprise guests" with the Yo-Yos closing proceedings.

Barfly/Falcon, London NW1 (0171-482 4884)

Gorky's Zygotic Mynci today

GZM headline the Miri Madog festival with an acoustic set, backed by Big

Leaves, Topper and a dozen other young Welsh bands. Social Club, Portmadog (01766 512055)

Miles Hunt tomorrow

The former Wonderstuff singer, now an engaging solo acoustic performer,

continues to gather critical support and larger crowds. Well worth a look.

Ronnie Scott's Birmingham (0121-643 4525)

FIVE WORTH SEEING

Flux Festival

The big outdoor festivals take a break this weekend, so, as with many other arts and entertainments, the focus turns to Edinburgh. Now in its third year, the Flux Festival runs until 30 August and brings together a choice selection of highbrow popular music. This week Ivor Cutler, David Thomas and John Cale all play at the Queen's Hall, while on the final weekend both Nick Cave (above) and Ken Kesey & the Merry Pranksters play outdoors in Princes Street Gardens.

Flux Festival, Edinburgh (0131-220 4349) to 30 Aug, www.fluxfestival.com, pounds 10 to pounds 12.50