POP: THE FIVE BEST GIGS

Morcheeba Mon, Wed

A sold-out show at the RAH and an end-of-tour blowout on the coast.

Royal Albert Hall, London SW7 (0171-589 8212) Mon; Pyramid Centre, Portsmouth (01705 358608) Wed.

Billy Bragg Tue, Wed, Thur, Fri

See Going Out preview, p12-13.

Civic, Wolverhampton Tue; Rock City, Nottingham Wed; Forum, London NW5 (0171-344 0044) Thu; Pyramids Centre, Portsmouth (01705 358608) Fri

Ladysmith Black Mambazo Mon

With a current Top 10 album, this is the hottest gig in the Oris London Jazz Festival.

Royal Festival Hall, London SE1 (0171-960 4242) Mon

Pete Townshend & Friends Mon

A one-off gig of songs old and new from Who guitarist, with a band that includes bassist Chucho Merchan and keyboard player Josh Karin.

Shepherd's Bush Empire, London W12 (0171-771 2000) Mon

Stereophonics Tonight, Tue

With their decidedly transatlantic rock style, this Welsh outfit have rather sneaked up as one of the country's biggest bands on this sold- out tour.

Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone (01303 254695) tonight; Forum, London NW5 (0171-344 0044) Tue

FIVE WOMEN HEADLINERS

Cat Power Excellent lo-fi folkie rock from the Matador recording artist.

Catfish Club/New Maderia Hotel, Brighton (01273 698331); Garage, London N5 (0171-607 1818) Thur

Virginia Rodrigues UK debut for talented Brazilian contralto as part of the ORIS London Jazz Festival.

Purcell Room, London SE1 (0171-960 4242) Mon

Trisha Yearwood The current queen of Nashville comes to town with good support in leftfield balladeer, Alison Moorer.

Hammersmith Apollo, London (0870 606 3484) Tommorow

Blondie Their music was brilliant but they might have just left the comeback too long.

Civic Hall, Wolverhampton (01902 552121) Mon

Natalie Imbruglia Debbie Harry's more poppy late-Nineties equivalent? Will she be around that long?

Rivermead Centre, Reading (0118-901 5000) Mon; Civic Hall, Wolverhampton (01902 552121) Wed