As is often the way, tonight has the best options for those wishing to try something new, musically speaking, break out of the comfort zones a bit and take a musical leap of faith and there is no better place to do so than at The Beehive.

Maltese experimental outfit, The Ranch blend squalling rock, psychedelic meanderings, jazz approaches for a set filled with dynamics, energy and improvisation. And whilst you might think that it would be difficult to find a suitable support act, the newly formed SexJazz fit the bill perfectly with the same strange and mercurial approach to song structures and a neat line in songs about weird animals. It’s going to be like Zappa never left us.

At The Victoria, the pick of the younger indie crop is on offer, spearheaded by Getrz and their hard-edged indie and man of the moment Bradley Cowtan. I would heavily recommend getting to this show early enough to catch opening band We Are Parkas who blend attitude fuelled indie and alt-pop melody with just a hint of punkish urgency.

A couple of weeks ago we had a Dallas rocker in town treating us to some southern grooves and lone star swagger, on Friday a denizen of the next city along, Fort Worth, can be found at The Beehive. Keegan McInroe takes a more considered, but no less impressive, folk-blues line that evokes warm nights and smoky bars via songs built around personal experiences and social commentary. And like his fellow Texan he also draws a number of local musicians around him to build extra musical depth and texture.

Southern blues also plays a significant part in The Teddy White Band’s sound, only here it is more driven, boogie based, rhythmic and charged. You can find them at The Queens Tap.

And continuing the rootys nature of the night, People Like Us at The Castle may, on paper at least, be working in familiar territory but their method of delivery - 12 string guitars, piano, Cajon, kick drums and four vocals, all capable of leading, blending and harmonising as required, does indeed suggest a wholly different musical experience.

Moving into more groovesome realms, Felix and The Funk continue their mission to take their funk, pop, disco, soul party to all parts of town, one venue at a time, in this case The Groves Company Inn (maybe that should be called The Grooves Company Inn.) If, however, you have always fancied having a go yourself, getting under the spotlight and seeing if you have got what it takes, then auditions for The Voice UK will be taking place at Level III.

If punk was seen as the antithesis of the hippy ideal, Britpop was seen as a stand against American grunge and the indulgence of home-grown shoegazing and although in retrospect it was more a cultural movement than a cohesive, musical style there is no doubt who the biggest band to emerge from it was. If you are a fan of Oasis then you are in luck as not only are Oasish paying tribute to Manchester’s finest at The Victoria (with the puntastic Stereotonics in support) you will find Noasis doing a similar job at Level III the following night.

Also reliving the glory days of musical stalwarts Just Floyd not only pay musical tribute to one of the most interesting and exploratory bands in history, they do so whilst recreating the atmospheric light show, which after all was one of the bands unique selling points. Find them at The Victoria on Saturday.

Fans of hard rock and heavy metal need to head to The Queen’s Tap for Shepherd’s Pie and fantastic renditions of the iconic tunes of the genre. This is a band that matches the intensity, drive, energy, showmanship and musical dexterity of the originals…not to mention the volume.

Stripped bring acoustic covers to The Castle and at The Groves Company Inn members of Orchard Hill slip into their alter ego Make The Call to lay out a musical stall of party favourites and dance floor fillers.

If the 80’s ska revival is more to your tastes then The Woodlands Edge is the place to be as 6 piece cover band The 2-Tone All Skas take on the songs of Madness, The Specials, Bad Manners and the like.

Folk-rock and roots are also back on the table with Jimmy Lee’s Ragged Company who bring a set of old favourites and new compositions to The Rolleston.