Great to see that with the merest of breathers to get over the busiest season for live bands, the local circuit is once again brimming with musical options and it starts tonight with a bit of a gem especially if you are a big fan of country music. Katy Hurt is a 20 year old resident of Long Island yet she sounds as if she has been deftly combining commercial country with pop, blues and southern musical charm for decades. Forget all the alt-this and post-that generic wordplay this is unashamedly feel-good country music with all the glitz and glamour left in and it is at The Beehive tonight.

On Friday more music with a decidedly American edge can be found at The Rolleston with the return of The Soul Strutters and their wonderful blends of classic soul, funk and blues from which they forge a raw, powerful, groovy and, most of all, fun set for you to strut your stuff to. The clue is in the name after all.

If you are looking for something a bit different then why not try something Plucking Different, an electric ukulele outfit who revel in upbeat songs that you may know and love but you have probably never heard played this way before. Again The Beehive is the place to be for such thinking outside the musical box. Meanwhile Toxic brings the party to The Queen’s Tap, everything from the sublime to the ridiculous, or put another way Haim to One Direction, and everything in between.

Saturday leaves live music aficionados with some tough choices as there is plenty to choose from no matter what sort of music you are looking for. As always rock is well represented but if you are looking for something fresh, energetic and original then head down to Level 3 to catch the All Ears Avow launch their new e.p. Skin and Bones. Not only will you get one of the most exciting and relevant alt-rock bands of the moment but it should be noted that they are joined by a host of great bands. Dirty pop comes courtesy of the Kerouac referencing Maggie Cassidy, Basement Club provide the indie cool and Rainy Day Fund blend dreamy vibes with funky grooves. Definitely not a show to miss.

Rock is also on the cards at The Waiting Room where Bite The Hand whip through the best sonic moments in contemporary rock and at The Victoria Audio Asylum and Black Rose also pay homage to rock and metal through the ages.

The Rolleston will be reverberating to the sound of rock ’n’ roll, rockabilly and old school r’n’b as Josie and The Outlaw hit the stage for some dance inducing, beer spilling, sing-along and wonderfully re-energising music. Also tapping into a classic vibe Locomotown will be calling in to The High Street Club. No, that isn’t a spelling error and I’m sure the more astute readers will have worked out that is Locomotion delivering a whole evening of Motown classics.

At The Swiss Chalet you will find LadsLadsLads recreating the best bits of modern commercial radio live and without commercial breaks or news bulletins, just wall to wall great music from the good time music guys and at The Queen’s Tap everything and anything can be expected from The Bright Eyes as they find hidden gems and big hits to play for an always appreciative audience.

Finally on Sunday at The Duke of Edinburgh 6 O’clock circus are heavy on the Brit-pop and Indie covers.