THE passing of Chuck Berry gave me cause to ponder the relationship between a music fan and the musician.

As is the way, social media was all a flutter with divided opinion. Some argued that he was a cornerstone without whom most forms of modern, popular music would probably be unrecognisable to us today. Others didn’t hesitate to extoll the man’s flaws, of which there were indeed many.

But we need to separate the music from the man and surely you can appreciate somebody’s creativity without the need to dwell too deeply on the people themselves.

Half of my record collection was probably made by people I would cross the street to avoid but maybe that flawed nature that also drives them to do unique work and create music that changes the very nature of society. Without them the world would be full of nice, squeaky clean, unchallenging music — rock and roll, hip-hop, punk and all the other music rebellions don’t happen because of people like Chris Martin, do they?

That said, tonight’s musical offering is all thanks to nice people who happen to make great music, so what would I know?

The big ticket is to be found at The Victoria in the shape of The Night of The Ocelot, the entertainment and lifestyle guide’s annual shindig.

Little Brother Eli is a groovesome, garage blues outfit, beloved of the likes of 6music and the perfect dance inducing headliner.

Hip Route will be providing the funky rhythms, slide guitars, whiskey soaked vocals and opening the night is rising star Bradley Cowtan.

Other rootsy options can be found at The Beehive with Moody Will and The Roll, a bluesy, country, folky four-piece renowned for their wonderful cross-genre weaves and energetic live shows.

Joe McCorriston is no stranger to Swindon, a Lancastrian songwriter, a punk kid with an acoustic guitar and a bag of great tunes. And as his tour works its way through these southern climes it meets fellow song-slinger Nick Parker working his way north. This wonderful collision happens at The Tuppenny.

Acoustic music is also to be found at The Groves Company Inn, in the guise of Ali Finneran.

On Friday, Ells and The Southern Wild rolls into the Beehive, music which spans rock and folk, melancholy and optimism, light and shade; ever shifting but always great.

Nostalgia trips, comfort zones and soundtracks to a great night out are not hard to find all over town.

It’s The Victoria for all things 90s, anthemic and Cool Britannia with The Britpop Boys whilst at The Rolleston, El Toro offer up a menu of Classic Rock; great music, no bull.

Chicago blues, which also meanders through the Memphis and New Orleans back catalogue, comes courtesy of Built For Comfort at The Queens Tap and at The Beehive, The Teddy White Band can be found navigating similar beat and boogie infused waters.

All the classic swagger of the punk idiom can be found at The Swiss Chalet; One Chord Wonders promise an incendiary set with all the edge and attitude, vim and vitriol that comes with the genre. And if you miss them there catch them at The Groves Company Inn the following night. You will not be disappointed.

In the “Frontman of legendary band hits town” department, you will be excited to find that none other than Mark Chadwick is at Level III on Saturday. With nearly 30 years as the focal point of punk-folk icons, The Levellers, here he brings his solo set to town with support from Jimmy Moore and Jenny Bracey.

After that, the options follow more familiar musical lines. Motley Crude pay tribute to LA’s most hedonistic, wild and loud hair-metal band at The Victoria and at the opposite end of the generic scale Binomial revisit and rearrange the landmark songs of the 80s synth pop scene.

A host of bands can also be found offering a smorgasbord of big hits and party tracks, classic numbers and personal favourites around town.

Danny and The Randoms pretty much have it all covered at The Rolleston and The Tin Shack Band set out a similarly inclusive stall at The Queens Tap. Danger Mouse at The Locomotive offer similar cross-genre and chronologically broad options, Fab 208 bring the look and sound of the glam era to The Woodlands Edge and modern pop, rock and indie is on the cards with Get Carter at The Swiss Chalet.

Blimey, if you can’t find a band to watch this week then maybe music isn’t for you.