I always feel this way in the aftermath of The Swindon Shuffle – slightly lost, not to mention (as I write this) still aching and with real concern over the state of my liver. Not only does The Shuffle prove what a great musical community Swindon has, especially when you put so much of it on display over one long weekend, it also highlights just how many great, original bands there are on your doorstep.

Yet for a while after the festival it always feels like a wake as venues slip back into their old ways and booking habits.

I guess that is a bit unfair as there is still some great music to be had, but it also makes me think that if a small team of amateurs (with massive community support, obviously) can showcase such an amazing set of local bands, why is it that some weeks it is hard to find anything too far outside the tried and tested circuit from the people who do this for a living?

I know this doesn’t apply to all venues in all weeks but looking at the audiences that some of those stages pulled, it might make venues think again about the viability of original music and the money you can make from them if promoted correctly.

Or not! After all it’s not for me to tell you how to do your job but like a famous man once said… “I have a bream...” – JR Hartley, I suspect.

So, to business. Tonight at The Victoria it’s all about the best of acoustic music in the top bar as Jimmy Moore heads a wealth of talent.

Jimmy’s music is a wonderful example of shimmering, dexterous picking that goes beyond the usual “guy with a guitar” expectations, often embracing looping technology to achieve something really special. Support comes in the form of acoustic circuit stalwarts, Daniel James and David Waddington.

And if you like things stripped back then you might want to catch Teddy White Lite at The Royal Oak on Friday, the usual wonderful renditions of R‘n’B and swing standards but in a chilled out format.

Elsewhere folk music is on the cards. Missin’ Rosie play a mix of punked out folk covers and some of their own wonderful creations and at The Victoria you can catch The Ghouls, an infectious blend of bohemian punk, ska and high octane gypsy jazz that will appeal to fans of Gogol Bordello, The Destroyers and the like.

Even better is that supporting are The Shudders, a brilliant mix of lo-hi Americana and upbeat folk vibes who all but destroyed The Beehive as the closing band of The Shuffle (which may or may not have something to do with its current two-week shut down.) Saturday takes the options in a more mainstream direction. At The Victoria you can catch Toxic whose own blurb states “None of this same-old, lukewarm pub covers band” so expect a vibrant and original show with everything from Beatles to ABBA to The Foo Fighters.

Or you could catch Bombshell at The Greyhound who will be channelling the hits of a wide range of pop and rock from Green Day to Avril Lavigne.

For a more rock and roll experience The Rolleston is the place as Dodging The Bullet play classic rock covers, a theme that carries on at Level 3 afterwards.

Original music is still to be found if you look hard enough. Racket front man, Plummie, will be playing a solo set at The Regent so expect fired up indie acoustica mixed with more reflective songs and catch a bit of what made his band one of the most talked about of The Shuffle.

Support comes from a rare show from Richard Skidmore, the man normally found leading Black Sheep Apprentice into the abyss.

More acoustic music is to be had at The GW Acoustic Showcase from Tamsin Quin, Brin Gallagher, Ali Finneran and many Moore… Aidan for one (geddit?).

Finally, rounding the week off on Wednesday is Billy Bingham and the A.Koustics who will be at The Roaring Donkey.