I’m not sure if there is just a lot more going on this week or if it’s just a case of venues getting better at spreading the message – either way I’m just going to dive right in.

Two Essex Boys, a Scotsman and an American walk into a bar. It’s no joke, I can tell you. It is, however, a neat appraisal of tonight’s offerings around the town.

One of the Essex boys is the legendary Norman Watt-Roy (Normsferatu to his friends), one time Blockhead and Wilko Johnson sideman, who can be found at The Victoria tonight. Expect punky panache, bombastic bass, cool charisma and any number of other alliterations.

Support comes from Lonely Tourist (the Scotsman in the scenario) who is armed with indie-folk tunes, wit and wisdom.

At the Rolleston, front man for Essex alt-metallers InMe, Dave McPherson, returns in solo form, these days pushing the more reflective and exploratory sound of his latest album Dreamoirs.

Local support comes via the dexterous skills of Jimmy Moore.

The final character in that cliché is Chattanooga guitarist Mark Merriman who brings his jazz tones and authentic delta blues vibes to Riffs Bar.

Staying out at Riffs Bar for the regular Friday session we find another expatriate musician from The Colonies... sorry old habits and all that, another gifted musician of American birth.

Sarana VerLin takes ample measures of folk, Americana, rock and Celtic and blends them into a unique and earthy sound.

The other half of this duo format show is James Slater, a fingerpicking guitarist best known as being a member of the fusion band Appalachia. Support comes from multi-instrumentalist Michael Hennessy.

R‘n’B, swing and blues come courtesy of The Teddy White Band at The Rolleston and for those of you who are wondering where this week’s Iron Maiden tribute band is to be found, the answer is at The Victoria with Hi-On Maiden – the “official” tribute band (as opposed to the “ultimate,” “best” and “most authentic” versions who all seem to have played around here in the last month or so.) And if you want to carry on the party a bit later, Level 3 has a new club night of Ghetto funk, soul and hip-hop from Mr Rich and The Caretaker plus Bobby the Persuader – owner of the best underground and retro vinyl collection on the planet. Fact!

Rock comes in a number of shapes on Saturday. Talk in Code play a warm-up show at Riffs Bar prior to their tour with E of E, so if a fusion of dance and rock, soaring dynamics and anthemic soundscapes are your thing then you know where to be. You also get to watch A Way With Words into the bargain.

The Rolleston sees the welcome return of that wonderful purveyor of high energy blues, Innes Sibun, whilst downstairs at Level 3 there is that obvious generic coupling of fired up punk-pop and chilled acoustica.

The first is provided by Post 12 and The Overlord, the latter by Josh Heather and the new musical vehicle for Charlie Anne Bradfield, Phases. And being that it is mid-October it is also a Halloween-themed show. Not sure what’s going on there.

But if you want real chaos then The Globe is the place to be for a slice of Rhythm ‘n’ Booze mayhem from those misfits and miscreants that go under the name of The Hamsters From Hell. You have been warned.

A change of pace can be found at The Victoria, with reggae from The King Solomon Band and Troy Ellis.

Sunday is a game of two halves. At The Arts Centre, Lazy Sunday Afternoon will see a chilled and ambient vibe created by UandI, bluesy guitars and great vocal harmonies from Hiproute’s Jim Blair and Raye Leonard. Ells and The Southern Wild blend folk, pop and low-end rock and your hosts, Mr Love and Justice, add just the right amount of West Coast jangle to political British folk.

By contrast it’s all about the big rock show at The Victoria, later that that same day. If you are looking for the contemporary sounds of metal, alt-rock and grunge then Harmony Disorder, Shadows of Serenity and DIRTE is all you need to check out.

Staying at The Victoria, Monday sees old colleagues John Otway and Wild Willy Barrett reunite to bring the mirth and madness of their heyday to town and a chance for them to play a selection of his... err... hit. Support comes from David Marx.

If you are looking to break the working week up then Drew Bryant’s elemental folk at The Roaring Donkey is the place to be on Wednesday.