With so many wondrous things to tell you about this week, I will barely have time to poke fun at a random local musician or upset those internet critics who spend their time grabbing the wrong end of proverbial sticks. That’s the plan anyway, so to horse and away… After an aborted show from a few months back, Twisted Wheel have managed to make it back into town. They claim to be “mining the same rich seam as The Clash, The Who and The Jam; armed with a lyrical intensity to match Mark E Smith at his most pointed…”

That’s quite a benchmark to set for yourself, and for my money they are yet to deliver the goods. That said, the sweetener comes in the form of local supports from The Alfonz and Napoleon In Rags. All this takes place at the 12 Bar tonight.

Alternatively, you could treat yourself to a night of slick rock and roll at The Victoria courtesy of Sharks, a band with a very promising future, not least some imminent tour dates with a band I really rate, The Gaslight Anthem (pictured right). Support comes from Sister Gracie and Dirt Royal, the punked-up and re-energised band who once sported the moniker, The Mis-Led.

But that’s not even the half of it. Fans of more mature rock genres have a choice of Trafficker at The Beehive, Deep Thought at The Rolleston or Sleepyhouse Corner at Riffs Bar. I would tell you more about them but there just isn’t time.

For something a bit different you might consider The Glen Miller Orchestra at The Wyvern Theatre. Blimey!

On Friday, La Clique Mystique will be weaving a web of funky pop, choppy guitars and trippy beats at The Victoria, definitely one for those fans of electronic music who protest that their genre is not being represented in this town. Support comes from The Haiku, who make glorious acoustic driven soundscapes that sound like Mike Scott in full balladeer mode.

The Rolleston offers something a bit retro in the form of the swing blues maestros Teddy White.

And if it’s something a bit more raucous you are after then gird your loins and head out to Riffs Bar for legends in their own lunch time, The Hamsters From Hell. A band with a real Dr Feelgood factor, they will be blasting out some hard and fast rhythm and blues, complete with random mayhem and assorted lunacy. Not for the faint hearted.

If you are feeling a bit more charitable, there is an Oxfam Fundraiser at The Moonrakers, featuring dark garage rock from The Dacoits, the slick acoustic vibes of Zoe Mead and Oliver Wilde.

A slice of the Delta comes to The Victoria on Saturday night in the form of Pignose. Mixing rootsy blues, gospel and bluegrass, this brilliant trio come at you like the soundtrack to O Brother Where Art Thou’ and you can almost taste the Mint Julep and hear the screen door creaking in the wind. Opening up the night are those purveyors of dark country rock, Black Sheep Apprentice.

Despite sporting a moniker that sounds like your uncle’s village fete covers band, Mike and The Rhythm Stars are actually a rather good swing-rockabilly band with a chilled 60s pop edge to their sound. Check them out at The Rolleston also on Saturday.

The Old Town Bowl, meanwhile, plays host to Scottish popster Sandi Thom (see above).

The big name for the weekend is Show Of Hands’ rescheduled show at The 12 Bar, joined by the quite brilliant Miranda Sykes on double bass and guitarist Ruarri Joseph. This will be a show of virtuoso folk playing with some interesting cross genre influences. If you want to get a feel for folk music in the modern age, this is all you need.

If money is tight and you are in the market for something of an acoustic nature, then The Beehive is your one-stop shop with some great free music to round the week off. Mr E Harmony will be delivering a roots-based set at the Sunday afternoon session and on Wednesday their regular Acoustic Buzz night features Odi, Gary Stewart and Blind River Scare – all worth checking out and, as always, totally free.

My final shout is for Paul Lamb and the King Snakes at The Arts Centre, also on Wednesday. If blues, swing and good time boogie are your cup of tea then you know where you need to be.