1 THE PALE FOUNTAINS
Michael and John Head take a step back from Shack to exhume their first band – underrated practitioners of orchestral pop. Shepherds Bush Empire, Shepherds Bush Green, W12 (www.shepherds-bush-empire.co.uk 0844 4772000), Sun
2 STARS
The Canadian five-piece, who reached giddy new peaks with their fourth album In Our Bedroom After the War, are a must-see for all fans of incisive, literate pop. Concorde 2, Madeira Drive, Brighton (www.concorde2.co.uk 01273 673311), Mon
3 BLACK FRANCIS
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The former Pixies frontman is on a hell of a roll. His recent album, Bluefinger, was a zestful art-pop delight, and his new mini album, Svn Fingers, is no slouch either. Brookes University SU, London Road, Headington (www.thesu.com 01865 484764), Thur
4 DUFFY
Carrying immense expectations, Duffy eases into 2008 with precisely the sort of gig her heroine Dusty Springfield might have played 40 years previously. Pigalle, Piccadilly, W1 (www.vpmg.net 0845 3456053), Wed
5 RACHEL UNTHANK & THE WINTERSET
Northumbrian quartet that mainlines the dark heart of traditional music. The Borderline, Orange Yard, Manette Street, W1 (www.meanfiddler.com 0870 0603777), Fri, until Feb 9