POP: THE FIVE BEST GIGS

Biffy Clyro Thur & Fri

Plugging their new single, "Only One Word Comes To Mind", these noisy Kilmarnock pop-core types head out on tour with kindred spirits Hell Is For Heroes and Ghostride.

Academy, Glasgow, Thur; Uni, Manchester, Fri

The Research tomorrow & Wed

Gathering a healthy amount of word-of-mouth support, this babyfaced trio from Wakefield spill out quirky but catchy lo-fi pop with the aid of a bass guitar, child-size drumkit and a nine quid Casio keyboard. Cockpit, Leeds, tomorrow; Victoria, Derby, Wed

Goldie Lookin Chain today, Mon, Tue & Wed

Newport's fun-loving hip-hop monster is back on the road after a series of sold-out shows last year, and a very healthy response to their cheekily tilted debut album, Greatest Hits, which is crammed with wit and offbeat social commentary. Barrowlands, Glasgow, today; Uni of Northumbria, Newcastle, Mon; Uni, Hull, Tue; Academy, Birmingham, Wed

Even in Blackouts Mon & Tue

Lookout! Records signings, EIB play punk with acoustic guitars and were put together by John Jughead from Screeching Weasels and also feature members of The Queers.

Victoria, Derby, Mon; Juncktion 7, Nottingham, Tue

The Bravery Fri

Just about the biggest hyped band of 2005 so far, New York's The Bravery already have a lot to live up to and these highly anticipated shows should determine if they're merely an 1980s rehash job or the new Cure.

School of Art, Glasgow