POP / Gig Guide

ERIC CLAPTON

After last year's blues lesson, this will be a mixed evening of Clapton classics and new blues. The line up, which includes horns for the first time in years, consists of: Clapton (guitar, vocals), Dave Bronze (bass), Richie Hayward (drums), Andy Fairweather Low (guitar), Jerry Portnoy (harmonica), Chris Stainton (keyboards), Katie Kissoon and Maggie Ryder (backing vocals), Roddy Lorimer, Tim Sanders and Simon Clarke ('The Kick Horns'). No jacket required.

Sun, Mon Tue London Royal Albert Hall, 7.30pm

THERAPY?

UK hardcore. Credit To The Nation support. Wed Cambridge Junction

CYPRESS HILL

LA hardcore rappers who have a message about fools and ganga: smoke 'em. Nutty sounds too: as odd as Public Enemy. Recommended. Plus slicker, blacker Funkdoobiest. Tonight Bradford Uni; Sat Wolverhampton Civic Hall; Sun Glasgow Barrowlands; Mon Sheffield Uni; Tue, Wed London Brixton Academy

SMASHING PUMPKINS

Suddenly massive in America, suddenly massive here. Straight rock interpreted through the college lens, with a fresh-faced girl snuck in there. Their CD Siamese Dream is shifting lots, and they look set to win next year's awards. The perfect 1994 band. Plus various support acts.

Wed 23-Sat 27 incl. London Astoria

MARILLION

Dungeons and dragons rockers, now with a CD out called Brave, which is the story of a teenage girl found wandering memory-less on the Severn Bridge.

Tue Cardiff St David's Hall; Wed Norwich UEA

COCTEAU TWINS

Arty foetal keening. Plus Seefeel.

Tonight Cardiff Uni; Fri London Brixton Academy

ELASTICA

Much fancied tinny New Wave band, stepping out on the Suede path (big hype, little gigs, satisfactory performances). With Baby Chaos.

Wed London Camden Electric Ballroom

SWV

Stands for 'Sisters With Voices', but things aren't quite that basic, however, as their CD It's About Time (RCA) indicates. Swinging pop on a stick, loved by boys and girls - check 'Downtown', a track that licks Madonna's similar efforts. Support from 2U and harmonisers Intro. Singer Eric Gable is special guest on the last London date. Sat, Sun, & Thur 24 Feb London Hammersmith Apollo; Mon Manchester Apollo; Tue Birmingham NEC; Wed Bradford Maestro

BLACK NOT BLACK

Contemplate the nature of blackness in the elegant Institute of Contemporary Arts. Fri Omar with Max Beesely, plus Tony Remy and Vanessa Simon. Sat Pauline Henry, Eternal and Rhythm and Bass. Sun Silent Eclipse, MC Dee and Credit To The Nation.

COUNTRY, FOLK, JAZZ & WORLD MUSIC

BRIGHTON CARNIVAL

Get stuck in to Lent with this Latin American style rave up, with the 30 piece London School of Samba and the 11 piece Orchestra Salsa y Ache. Prizes for best costumes. 9pm-2am pounds 9 (charity) Sat Brighton Corn Exchange

MICHAEL NYMAN BAND

Premiere of The Piano soundtrack.

Wed London Barbican Centre