POP: THE FIVE BEST GIGS

1

Reading Festival Fri-Sun 30 Aug

Page & Plant (right) headline Friday, the Beastie Boys and Prodigy should be sensational on Saturday, while there's New Order and Spiritualized on Sunday.

Richfield Avenue, Reading (054 500 044/ 07 344 0044) pounds 30 per day/pounds 75 weekend.

2

V98 Sat, Sun

The Verve, Catatonia, Iggy Pop and James Brown appear on Saturday while Sunday has a very poppy feel with All Saints and Robbie Williams, though PJ Harvey and Underworld also play.

Hylands Park Chelmsford (0870 65 5555).

3

Supergrass Tues, Wed

The word's out that Supergrass's new material is very special indeed. Here's a chance to hear it before Reading 98.

Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone (0303 253 93) 25 Aug; City Hall Salisbury (0722 327 6767) 26 Aug.

4

Green Day Thurs

Green Day always deliver the goods on stage and testosterone-burning kids continually come back for more. This is sure to be a night of (oversubscribed) loud, fast, pop-punk action.

Astoria, London, W (07-434 0403).

5

The Artist Formerly Known As Prince Wed, Thurs

More like The Artist Formerly Known As Good, judging by his recent, laboured output. But his fans buy the tickets.

Wembley Arena (08-902 0902) 26 Aug and Brixton Academy, London SW2 (07-924 9999) 28 Aug.