Critics' choice

Westlife, Brighton Centre, Kings Road, Brighton, May 12 and 13
- The Irish man band who specialise in bland unmemorable ballads and cover versions are used to awards, but this year they have a new one to clutter up the mantlepiece. Finally recognised for the disservice they've done to music, the Louis Walsh creations were given three accolades at the Naomi awards for the worst acts in pop, including "outstandingly bad contribution to music". But while sticks and stones may break Westlife's bones, nasty awards will never hurt them thanks to their devoted army of women who should know better - and small children. Starts 7.30m, tickets cost £27.50 (sold out). Call 0870 9009100.

Texas, Brighton Centre, Kings Road, Brighton, Wednesday
- Glaswegian crowd-pleasers who have lingered longer than a very bad smell, but unlike a bad smell don't know when it's time to disappear. At the end of the Eighties Sharleen Spiteri and her band were in danger of becoming one-hit wonders after failing to capitalise on their Top Ten single, I Don't Want A Lover. But after the wildnerness years of the early Nineties, Sharleen emerged in 1996 with a new haircut and a new album, the massively successful White On Blonde. Haircuts aside, hits from the album like Say What You Want and Black Eyed Boy have helped firmly established Texas in the pop history books. Starts 7pm, tickets cost £26. Call 0870 9009100.

Josh Ritter, Gardner Arts Centre, University of Sussex Campus, Falmer, Brighton, Thursday
- As if the "tousle-haired troubadour" tag wasn't enough to get people interested, Josh Ritter makes beautiful music to boot. Raised on a diet of folk and country, this American's music toes the line between the modern and the traditional. Over the years he's worked with the likes of Joan Baez, The Frames and contemporary folk singer Erin McKeown. Often compared to Leonard Cohen and Tom Waits, his recent album The Animal Years has garnered more stars than a class swot. Starts 7.30pm, tickets cost £12/14. Call 01273 685861