WITH festival season now well and truly over, the winter gigs are taking us into cosy pubs and snug venues.

There’s a stack of events on in Brighton this week and here are my top five picks.

Kate Tempest

The Dome, Brighton, tomorrow Kate Tempest is returning to the Dome tomorrow, a sell-out show which promises to be blisteringly good.

Former director of the Brighton Festival, the spoken word poet, recording artist and playwright has been twice nominated for the Mercury Prize and Best Female Solo Performer at the 2018 Brit Awards. She will be performing her new album The Book of Traps and Lessons, recorded with long-time collaborator Dan Carey.

A version of which was first performed at The Hamilton Youth Club in Brighton.

Sir Trevor McDonald

The De La Warr Pavilion, Bexhill, Wednesday, October 23 The distinguished and well-loved broadcaster talks about his life and new autobiography An Improbable Life at this special event.

The face of national TV in the UK, he presented News At Ten on ITV for many years and current affairs programme Tonight.

Reporting on some of the most hard-hitting crimes of our time including documentaries on Death Row and the James Bulger murder.

He secured exclusive interviews with world leaders including Nelson Mandela on his release from prison and the only British TV interview with Saddam Hussein.

HMLTD

Hope And Ruin, Brighton, Wednesday, October 23 Hotly tipped for a mid-week outing, HMLTD are an avant-garde London-based rock band.

Newly signed to UK independent label Lucky Number, the five-piece have been compared to Ziggy Stardust era Bowie and Eighties new romantic sound.

Visually flamboyant, they are about to embark on a headline tour with their new single Loaded, which they describe as being about “a Faustian bargain, inspired by real events of which we were very much a part”.

Brighton is the second stop on their tour and support comes from Glasgow’s Walt Disco.

Pom Poko

Hope And Ruin, Thursday, October 24 This Norwegian band are bringing a burst of “punky sweetness” to Brighton. They were favourites at the Great Escape so expect this show to be busy.

Their style has drawn comparisons to Le Tigre, Deerhoof and Duchess Says and they have had extensive radio play on 6 Music. This fast rising quartet have released their debut album Birthday On Bella Union.

Don’t miss seeing these high-energy, colourful Nordic artists in such an intimate venue. Support comes from multi-instrumentalist and producer Liz Lawrence.

Tricky

Concorde 2, Brighton, Friday, October 25 From the man who brought us Massive Attack in the Nineties before striking out solo, Tricky’s show promises to be a spectacle.

Bristol-born pioneer of trip hop, his debut solo album Maxinquaye received popular and critical acclaim.

His music is noted for being a dark blend of musical styles and cultural references, including hip hop, alternative rock and ragga. Known to be highly charismatic and unpredictable on stage, he’ll perform on Friday with special guests. Guaranteed to be an entertaining gig on the seafront.