This week's best gigs

Chemical Brothers | Saturday 27, Monday 29, Tuesday 30 Nov, Thursday 2 and Friday 3 DecForget the dodgy vocals on their recent records; live, the Chemical Brothers know just when to lay down the beats. Empress Ballroom, Blackpool (01253 292029) Sat; Apollo, Manchester (0161-242 2560) Mon; Aston Villa LC, Birmingham (0121-328 5377) Tue; Brixton Academy, London SW9 (0171-771 2000) Thur, Fri

Chemical Brothers | Saturday 27, Monday 29, Tuesday 30 Nov, Thursday 2 and Friday 3 DecForget the dodgy vocals on their recent records; live, the Chemical Brothers know just when to lay down the beats. Empress Ballroom, Blackpool (01253 292029) Sat; Apollo, Manchester (0161-242 2560) Mon; Aston Villa LC, Birmingham (0121-328 5377) Tue; Brixton Academy, London SW9 (0171-771 2000) Thur, Fri

Basement Jaxx| Wednesday 1 DecThe Brixton duo kickstart their jubilant dance sounds for the last show of this current tour, with lots of guest DJs including Soul II Soul's Jazzie B. Forum, London NW5 (0171-344 0044) Wed

The Mavericks | Tuesday 30 Nov and Wednesday 1 DecEnlivened by the Havana Horns, this gig promoting the new Greatest Hits album promises to be a seriously good serving of rock'n'country gumbo. Empress Ballroom, Blackpool (01253 292029) Tue; Hammersmith Palais, London W6 (0181-741 8626) Wed

Motorhead| Friday 3 DecOne of the most prodigious metal outfits of all time, Lemmy's guys are a treat live, and these nights at the Astoria (they also play on 4 Dec) are their only UK shows this year. Astoria, London W1 (0171-434 0403) Fri

Nine Inch Nails | Monday 29 Nov and Wednesday 1 DecTrent Reznor brings the industrial beats of NIN's current double album, The Fragile, to the capital for twoover-subscribed shows. Brixton Academy, London SW9 (0171-771 2000) Mon & Wed

Coldcut | Saturday 27 Nov and Thursday 2 DecThe Ninja Tune founders present their sonically eclectic multi-media vision, placing equal emphasis on "V-Jamming" and concocting weird beats. Uni, Newcastle (0191-261 2606) Sat; Arches, Glasgow (0141-339 8383) Thur

The Lightning Seeds | Wednesday 1, Thursday 2 and Friday 3 DecIan Broudie's new Tilt album adds an texture to his pop sensibilities, making this tour an interesting proposition. Guildhall, Preston (01772 258858) Wed; Town Hall, Middlesbrough (01642 242561) Thur; Academy, Manchester (0161-832 1111) Fri

Stereophonics | Friday 3 DecThe Welsh flag-wavers, who sound extremely American, start their first-ever arena tour in Scotland. SECC, Glasgow (0141-287 7777) Fri