THE FIVE BEST GIGS

Neil Finn Thur, Fri

The gifted one from Crowded House goes on tour alone for the first time, with London trio Arnold as support.

Apollo, Oxford (01865 244 544) Thur; Symphony Hall, Birmingham (0121-212 3333) Fri

Manic Street Preachers Tue

With the release of This Is My Truth Tell Me Yours and a number one single under their belt, this gig by the Welsh stormers has long since sold out. Mogwai are the support act.

Kettering Arena (01536 414414)

The Mavericks Wed, Fri

While their best-selling Trampoline album gets a bit wallpapery at times, the presence of the Havana Horns peps up their material on stage.

Royal Albert Hall, London SW7 (0171-589 8212)

Simply Red Wed, Thur

A night of hits that just might sound similar by the midway point. That said, it's the first time in years that they've played a venue this cosy.

Lyceum Theatre, London W1 (0870-606 3441)

Embrace Sun, Mon, Tue, Thur, Fri

The Huddersfield quartet go national.

University, Cardiff (01222 781400) Sun; Guildhall, S'ton (01703 632 601) Mon; UEA Norwich (01603 505 401) Tue; Leas Cliffe Hall, Folkestone (01303 253 193) Thurs; Brixton Academy, SW2 (0171-924 9999) Fri

FIVE MORE NOT TO MISS

Native Rites See Preview, p12-13.

Barbican, London EC2 (0171-638 8891) tonight.

Sparklehorse The band offer up the rootsy dream sounds found on their Vivadixiesubmarinetrans missionplot and Good Morning Spider albums.

Concorde, Brighton (01273 606 460) Mon

Maria McKee The splendid voice behind 1980s roots rockers Lone Justice comes over for more solo gigs.

Ronnie Scott's, Birmingham (0121-643 4525) Sun; Dingwalls, London NW1 (0171-267 1577) Wed

Republica Saffron and her poppy techno pals play an intimate venue before their national tour.

Dingwalls, London NW1 (0171-267 1577) Tues

Eddi Reader The former voice behind Fairground Attraction, supported by Mancunian Lee Griffiths.

Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth (01705-863911) Thurs; Shepherd's Bush Empire, London W12 (0171-771 2000) Fri