POP: THE FIVE BEST GIGS

1

Green Day Tue

Rounding off a highly successful tour to promote their punk-rock opus American Idiot, the Berkeley punks next touch down in the UK at Milton Keynes Bowl this summer. Arena, Newcastle, Tue; Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre, Glasgow, Thur

2

Hayseed Dixie today & tomorrow

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.

Garage, Glasgow, today; Liquid Rooms, Edinburgh, tomorrow

3

The Research today, Mon & Tue

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.

The Vine, Leeds, today; Uni, Liverpool, Mon; Jazz Bar, Hull, Tue

4

Goldie Lookin Chain Fri

Back on the road after healthy sales for their debut album, Greatest Hits, and a sold-out tour last autumn, the Newport- based rappers carry on combining a comedic exterior with tales from the underbelly of Welsh life.

Academy, Manchester, Fri

5

The Dears today, tomorrow, Mon & Wed

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. Leadmill, Sheffield, today; Rescue Rooms, Nottingham, tomorrow; Charlotte, Leicester, Mon; Academy 2, Birmingham, Wed