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

Czar Creek, The Providence, Western Road, Brighton, Saturday, April 29
- Brooding indie boys Czar Creek were born when Sid Dixon and Clark Gregg borrowed an acoustic guitar. As a duo, they felt something was missing - namely other members, so in 2002 Chan Lambelin was brought into the fold, adding some funky bass riffs. Lurking in the depths of the Thames Valley was no place to get a band on the road to glory, so the boys moved to Brighton, eventually hooking up with drummer Dom Carroll. Their debut EP Get Gone was recorded at Metway Studios and has been described as "jazzy-blues stew". It"s now available to download. Starts 8pm, free. Call 01273 727822. They also play The Old Market, Hove, on Friday, June 9.

Soul Reality Collective, The Cella, Brunswick Street East, Brighton, Monday, May 1
- Thesse are a funky collective of musicians, who now have a monthly residency at The Cella. The man behind the event, Mark Ede, previously ran similar nights at classy haunt The Mayfair club in London, which was frequented after hours by session players after their own gigs. Mark says: "It was a great vibe. Some of the US stars playing at the Jazz Cafe would even drop by and join the jam. "When I moved to Brighton I was surprised to find many of the guys were prepared to hike down and continue a similar vibe here at The Cella." The collective includes experienced musicians, as well as younger and local talent, and guests have included Alison David. Starts 7pm, tickets cost £4/£3. Call 01273 770006.

Willard Grant Conspiracy, Concorde 2, Brighton, Thursday, May 4
- The rabble that is Willard Grant Conspiracy have been credited with putting together one of the most impressive alt country back catalogues around. Adding to that is latest offering Let It Roll, a sublime melting pot of gothic country and prairie rambles. With a collective of 30-plus musicians, all coming and going as they please - or when other projects allow them - every WGC gig is different to the last. Ringleader Robert Fisher, from Massachusetts, has a voice that can have the gravity of Cash, Cohen or Cave. Support comes from Steve Wynn, legend of the Americana scene and former leader of The Dream Syndicate