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

Soundtank with Narf, Sanctuary Cella, Hove, Tuesday, March 21
Emerging from the Galician-speaking music scene the peculiar Fran Perez is a singer/songwriter who is also a successful composer of theatre music. His unplugged incarnation, Narf, steps away from folk-based Galician songwriting to explore the connections between Galician sounds and worldwide popular music from Portugal, Mozambique, Cabo Verde and Brazil. Also on the bill are soulful Dynah and upbeat Dongs Don't Dance. Not-for-profit musicians' collective Soundtank hold monthly gatherings at venues including Polar Central and Sussex Acts Club, as well as meeting monthly at the Cella. Starts 8pm, tickets cost £5/£3. Call 01273 770006.

Cosmic Rough Riders, Pressure Point, Brighton, Wednesday, March 22
These Sixties-inspired Glasgow lads, proteges of Alan McGee, provide us with altogether happier indie rock than many of their contemporaries. Formed in 1998, they've never really reached the dizzy heights of success and have seemingly been content buzzing around the bottom end of the top 40. This hasn't stopped them picking up a "top 50 albums of the year" nod from Q magazine, having an entire album playlisted by BBC Radio 2 and being awarded the Best Newcomer award at Scotland's main music charity event, the Tartan Clef Awards. Could new single, When You Come Around (out April 17), and album, The Stars Look Different From Down Here, (May 1) finally be the release that clinches stardom? Starts 8pm, tickets cost £6. Call 01273 684501.

Samba Mapangala and Orchestra Virunga, Komedia, Brighton, Wednesday, March 22
A giant of East African music since the Seventies, Zairean vocalist and band leader Samba Mapangala aims to uplift his audiences with infectious rhythm. He formed his band, the Orchestra Virunga, in 1981. They proved to be one of East Africa's most popular groups, playing an innovative mix of rumba and soukous from Congo combined with earthier Kenyan sounds. Samba composes and sings in both Lingala and Kiswahili. His voice, even today, is unique among African vocalists in its quality and versatility. Beautiful harmonies combine with interlocking guitar lines, rapid-fire bass and fast-paced percussion to create an irresistible dance music. Starts 9pm, tickets cost £10 and £8. Call 01273 709709.