The Guide offers a critical view of what's hot for the coming week.

Threewheeler, Hanbury Ballroom, Brighton, Tuesday, January 17
- Life began for Threewheeler one winter's day in 1998, when the band's principal songwriters met for lunch in a Sussex pub. As well as discovering a shared passion for beans on toast, they quickly discovered their mutual love for creating music. Over the next year, they set about developing a unique musical partnership in a back garden shed and in 2001 played their first gig in Norwich. The string-driven, acoustic five-piece have been enchanting Brighton ever since with their uplifting music and were voted Juice 107.2fm Brighton Band of 2004. Their recent signing to indie label Lime Records will bring the release of their debut album this year. Starts 7.30pm, tickets cost £6/£5.50. Call 01273 605789.

The Hat & Mountain Firework Company, Komedia, Brighton, Wednesday, January 18
- These two Brighton acts have become a popular partnership on the music scene, sharing the bill at many a hoedown.

Making "mini musical movies for the mind, ears and soul" The Hat are storytellers, with a jazzy, literate bohemian vibe, a double-bass and a beatboxing drummer. Unique avant rock. The country-influenced blues band Mountain Firework Company perform beautifully-crafted songs of love won and lost, with the odd tale of the demon drink thrown in for good measure. With their own special sound, incorporating mandolin and banjo, they'll lend a smoky, rootsy hillbilly feeling to the party. Starts 8.30pm, tickets cost £7/£6. Call 01273 647100.

Vincent Vincent And The Villains, The Freebutt, Brighton, Wednesday, January 18
- These sharply-dressed boys take authentic rock 'n'roll and doo wop, rough it up a little and chuck it back at us with mighty force. In their own words, these East London lads are: "The most naturally talented cool cool cool popular rhythm group on the scene today." And modest with it. Formed in Bethnal Green from a love of Fifties rock 'n' roll, they combine exquisite three-part harmonies with jumping rhythms which make you want to pop your fingers, grab your best gal and drive through town in your open top. Even the NME likes them, claiming the Vincents are the "greatest front duo since Pete 'n' Carl of The Libertines". Starts 8pm, tickets cost £6/£7. Call 01273 603974.