POP: THE FIVE BEST GIGS

Cornelius Wed

The extraordinarily inventive Japanese pop wonderkid can easily sell out the Budokan back home. Anyone who has heard his brilliant Fantasma album won't want to miss this.

LA2, London WC2 (0171-434 0403)

Cypress Hill Fri

The hip-hop revival gets yet another boost with the return of these much-loved, weed-praising LA rappers who should have some good new material on offer.

Astoria, London W1 (0171-434 0403)

Belle & Sebastian Mon

B&S display their laid-back pop charms to coincide with the release of The Boy with the Arab Strap album. Elliott Smith is a real bonus as support. Shepherd's Bush Empire, London W12 (0171-771 2000)

Linton Kwesi Johnson Fri

Brixton's premier poet teams up with the Dennis Bovell Dub Band for a promising night of spoken word and blissed-out dub.

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

The Bee Gees tonight

They've written loads of classics - none more so than "Islands in the Stream" - but is it possible to look at that silly hat and bad coiffure for very long?

Wembley Stadium, Middlesex HA8 (0181-902 0902)

FIVE GIGS ON A TRAVEL THEME

Mojave 3 Aptly-named for their woozy pop, which is fondly ladled with country sentiments, even if they're from London rather than Cali.

Moles, Bath (01225 404445) tonight

Cuba Exciting new Brixton outfit bring their brand of beats, hip-hop and strumming guitars on the road.

The Attic, Cheltenham (01242 516645) 10 Sept

Forman Sweden Power-pop RCA signings Forman Sweden start off a residency playing here every Wednesday for the rest of the month.

Monarch, London NW1 (0171-916 1049) 9 Sept

Japanese Beetles They're from Japan and dress just the way the Fab Four did at their 1966 Tokyo concert.

Mean Fiddler, London NW10 (0181-963 0940) tonight

Astronaut After rave reviews these superbly tuneful popsters get a well- earned West End headline slot.

Borderline, London W1 (0171-734 2095) 7 Sept