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

The Wonder Stuff, Concorde 2, Brighton, Saturday, March 4
- After several reunion tours over the past few years, these Brummie heroes are back with a new album, Suspended By Stars, and will no doubt be wreaking tuneful, inspired havoc. Led by singer/songwriter and mouth-about-town Miles Hunt, backed by original guitarist Malc Treece, The Wonder Stuff were instant stars in England, with Hunts brash public image being The Wonder Stuff personified antagonistic and scathingly witty. They continue to incorporate stylistic flourishes to their punk and new wave-inspired pop/rock which is a colourful, dancey mixture of pop melodies, loud guitars and sneering lyrics. Starts 7pm, tickets cost £15. Call 01273 673311.

Joan Baex, Brighton Dome, Brighton, Monday, March 6
- Protest singer, poet, and Bob Dylans old flame, Joan Baez is the female face of early-Sixties folk music. With her sublime, soprano singing voice, she inspired and reflected upon the growing social conscience of America and still does, having dedicated herself to a variety of political causes as well as her music over the past 35 years. Where her 2003 album Dark Chords On A Big Guitar saw Baez move towards Americana with songs by Gillian Wlech and Ryan Adams, her new release Bowery Songs (her first live album in ten years) is a soaring chroncile spanning Woody Guthrie to Steve Earle. This is a rare opportunity to catch a true 20th-Century folk icon.

The Like, Komedia, Brighton, Tuesday, March 7
- Barely out of their teens, all-girl group The Like are turning heads with their sassy style and sophisticated tunes, reminiscent of The Pretenders and The Sundays. Comprised of Tennessee Thomas (drums), Charlotte Froom (bass) and Z Berg (guitar/vocals), The Likes sound is a rousing, lyrical mix of pop-rock and punk delivered with an effortless, articulate cool. Formed in LA five years ago, the girls swiftly released three EPs and cultivated a loyal fan base. Straight after graduating from college in 2004, they signed to Geffen Records and have since toured in support of bands such as Kings Of Leon and Maroon 5. They released their debut album, Are You Thinking What Im Thinking? last year. Starts 7.30pm, tickets cost £7.50. Call 01273 647100