Pop: The Five Best Gigs

1

Billy Bragg & The Blokes Tue & Fri

Bragg's on his best form, performing his back catalogue and selected Woody Guthrie songs with his excellent band.

Pontardawe Art Centre, Port Talbot (0792 863722) Tue; Blackheath Halls, London SE3 (08-463 000) Fri

2

Underworld Tonight, Tue-Fri

The trio are back playing their great new Beaucoup Fish album.

Newport Centre, Newport (0633 622666) tonight; London Astoria (07- 434 0403) Tue & Wed; Guildhall, Portsmouth (0705 824355) Thur; UEA Norwich (0603 50540) Fri

3

Boom Boom Satellites Tonight

Japanese duo blitz their way through hip-hop, rock and techno with loads of surprises along the way.

Pressure Point, Brighton (0273 702333) tonight

4

Brian Setzer Fri

The ex-Stray Cats leader brings his swish outfit to town, having started the swing craze in the US.

Shepherd's Bush Empire, London W2 (07-77 2000) Fri

5

Catatonia Wed & Thur

Cerys Matthews wails her way through International Velvet once more. New material needed.

Assembly Rooms, Derby (0332 255800) Wed; Civic Hall, Wolverhampton (0902 5522) Thur

...AND FIVE NOISY ONES

Stiff Little Fingers

Might be worth it for the early punk hits.

Wulfrun, Wolverhampton (0902 5522) Tue; Anson Rooms, Bristol (07- 929 9008) Wed; Wedgewood, Portsmouth (0705 8639) Thur; Forum, London NW5 (07-344 0044) Fri

3 Colours Red/Cay

Get there early for the up and coming Cay.

Wulfrun, Wolverhampton (0902 5522) Mon

Feeder

Pop-metal trio that are always good value live.

Lemon Grove, Exeter (0392 26358) Wed

Sona Fariq

Exciting fusion of metal, hip-hop and reggae beats.

Club Mink, Aquarium, London EC (07-25 636) Thur

Napalm Death

The fastest. The loudest.

Barfly Club, The Falcon, London NW (07-482 4884) tomorrow