POP: THE FIVE BEST GIGS

1

Green Day today, tomorrow & Mon

Rounding off a highly successful tour to promote their punk-rock opus American Idiot, the Berkeley punks next touch down in the UK with a high-profile day out at the Milton Keynes Bowl this summer. Centre, Brighton, today; Hammersmith Apollo, London W2, tomorrow & Mon

2

Hayseed Dixie Tue & Wed

Having quickly attained cult status over here with a string of albums, which took metal classics by Motorhead, The Darkness and the like and gave them a high-speed bluegrass treatment, these nutters return for a predominantly sold-out tour. Academy, Bristol, Tue; Wedgewood, Portsmouth, Wed

3

The Research Wed

The Research are one of the best things to come out of Yorkshire since Cabaret Voltaire. This baby-faced trio pump out a most engaging brand of lo-fi pop, produced via a bass guitar, child-sized drumkit and a cheap Casio keyboard. 2 Bar Club, London WC2, Wed

4

G Love & Special Sauce Mon

A schizophrenic Philadelphian trio who rap over an intoxicating and mind-warping blend of soul, funk, blues and rock. Noted for their long and sweaty sets, they are making a rare UK showing for their loyal fanbase. Borderline, London, Mon

5

The Dears tomorrow, Mon, Wed, Thur & Fri

With their debut album, No Cities Left, enjoying a nice word- of-mouth reputation, these Canadians look set for a successful tour with their Smiths-influenced brand of passionate and melodramatic pop-rock. Rescue Rooms, Nottingham, tomorrow; Charlotte, Leicester, Mon; Academy 2, Birmingham, Wed; Concorde 2, Brighton, Thur; Zodiac, Oxford, Fri