The guide offers a critical view of what's hot for the following week.

Bloc Party, Concorde 2, Brighton, Thursday, March 2 (sold out)

- Guess who's coming to Brighton to play a special "secret" gig? For months, the good folk at Concorde 2 have been wondering who's been booked to play this Thursday. They had no idea what was going on until fans started calling up to try to buy tickets to see their favourite band. But now all has been revealed. Last year's Brit Award winners Bloc Party, fronted by Kele Okereke, will be performing an exclusive hour-long set for their fan club members' eyes and ears only. Bloc Party fans were the only ones told about the gig, which is sadly now completely sold out. Our very own Sam Thomson was lucky enough to score a ticket. Read his review next week in The Guide daily. Starts 8pm, tickets cost £12. Call 01273 673311.

David Nelson and Banana, The Grey's, Brighton, Sunday, February 26
- As A founding member of both The Wildwood Boys and New Riders of the Purple Sage, David Nelson played a formative role in San Francisco's Sixties psychedelic folk scene. He worked closely with Jerry Garcia, contributing to three Grateful Dead albums. This gig will see him duet with Banana (pictured left, with Nelson), a veteran bluegrass player, who formed Sixties icons, The Youngbloods. The two men formed The Rounders in 2003 out of a mutual desire to get back to their roots. Tonight's gig will see them strip their music back to its acoustic best with a medley of country blues, bluegrass, traditional country and a smattering of psychedelic rock for good measure. Starts 8.30pm, tickets cost £8. Call 01273 680734.

The Nostalga 77 Octet, Komedia, Brighton, Friday, February 24
- Nostalgia 77 is the studio project of Ben Lamdin, better known as Tru Thoughts and Ubiquity producer, musician and DJ. The project has produced two studio albums and has now found a live presence as the Nostalgia 77 Octet, hotly-tipped as a big part of the new British jazz explosion. Largely formed from graduates of the Royal Academy's jazz programme and alumni of the NYJO, the band boast members from Mathew Herbert's Big Band and Mathew Bourn's Electric Dr M group. Playing mostly original compositions and improvisation, the group also pay homage to their influences, which range from vintage British jazz compositions to the searching Afro-American sound of Sun Ra. Starts 9.30pm, tickets cost £8. Call 01273 647100.

Johnny Truant, Concorde 2, Madeira Drive, Brighton, Sunday, February 26
- Ever since the release of The Repercussions Of A Badly Planned Suicide in 2002, this impossibly skinny, Brighton-based extreme-rock outfit have enjoyed plaudits from fans and critics alike, slowly but surely clawing their way to the forefront of the British metal underground. Relentless gigging alongside the likes of Isis and Fear Factory has helped them establish an impressive reputation. New material is darker than ever - a beautifully brutal blend of intense, groove-laden melodies. This gig is the finale to their headline UK tour before they head to Canada. Main support comes from German-based band, Waterdown, with additional support from Architects. Starts 7pm, tickets cost £7. Call 01273 673311.

In Bob We Trust, Joogleberry Playhouse, Brighton, Sunday, February 26
- When Jessie Dylan, the only one of Bob's children who followed him into the music business, was accused of being influenced by his legendary father, he retorted: "Name me one person who isn't!" He wasn't exaggerating. No one can deny the contribution Bob Dylan has made to music, his lyrical genius, passionate intensity and vast emotional range. Everyone's got their favourite Dylan song, so join six musicians and a crowd of devoted Dylan fans for this acoustic tribute and some of them live. There'll be plenty to sing along to from Blowin' In The Wind to Tangled Up In Blue. Starts 9pm, tickets cost £7. Call 01273 687171.