I’d toyed with the idea of making this a 5 (or 10) must-see shows, but this week at least there seems to be much more than that – long may it continue…

On Tuesday 4th, the much-hyped Future Islands are at Glasgow’s O2 ABC, while at the Barrowland, Chvrches play the second of their 2 night stint. While across in Embra, smooth jazzers Pink Martini visit the Usher Hall.

Wednesday 5th sees all-conquering electro trio Chvrches head to Edinburgh’s Corn Exchange while, warming up for their support solts with the Specials, Sleaford Mods play Glasgow’s Broadcast
At Stereo, quality glitchtronica from Remember Remember

On Thursday 6th at McChuill’s in Glasgow, punk veterans The Zips play a free show. The Specials are at the Barrowland, and former Ash frontman Tim Wheeler plays tunes from his more ‘reflective’ (i.e. it ain’t no ‘Kung Fu’) solo album at the O2 ABC

In Dundee on Friday 7th, Ruts DC are at Buskers, 25 years on from when ‘Something That I Said’ was on Top of the Pops (yes, the BBC4 repeats are still running…)
And in a similar vein (rather sick pun unintended), one-time Adverts frontman TV Smith is at Edinburgh’s Citrus Club (even in acoustic mode, he’s brilliant, go see, etc)
And even discounting the second night at the Barrlowand for the Specials, the rather old-school vibe is maintained in the west with The Zips doing another free gig, this time at The Bungalow Bar in Paisley (along with The Snipes plus The Jackhammers)

Er, oddly, more punk rock on Saturday with The Vibrators are at Aberdeen’s Moorings while in Edinburgh Sleaford Mods (they’re not really Mods) depart the Specials tour with a show at the Electric Circus.

Also in Reekie, Snide Rhythms launch their single ‘Acid Alliteration’ at the Voodoo Rooms

Not much in Glasgow but if you want to know what the hype is all about then take in War on Drugs at the O2 ABC

Sunday 8th is unusually the most action-packed night of the week. 80s rockers Gun play the first of several shows at King Tuts where they revisit their back catalogue.
Multi-instrumentalist Shona Brown is at Cafe Cossachock in Greenock (us neither) launching her EP ‘The Narrow Road EP’ (the first of a series of 10 monthly releases).

And Randolph’s Leap host their ‘I Can’t Dance To This Music’ night at Shawlands’ Glad Cafe. It’s an all-dayer with Carbs – aka Jonnie Common and Jamie from Conquering Animal Sound; TeenCanteen ballboy (solo), Adam Stafford and Chrissy Barnacle.

Edwyn Collins is at Eden Court Inverness – his documentary ‘The Possibilities Are Endless’ has been premiering this week, can’t be sure if there is a live set from the former Orange Juice frontman at this show.

Finally, in Dundee, Ed Muirhead plays at Brewdog.

Edinburgh music showcase Identity Parade celebrates its tenth anniversary.at The Mash House. Featuring The Lonely Together, Orthodox , Nathan Connolly ( Little Matador / Snow Patrol, returning having played the first show 10 years ago!) ), Alan R Davison, and Zoë Bestel plus the added bonus of Jim Gellatly from XFM Scotland hosting.
It’s an over 14s show, tickets on the door and also through Brown Paper Tickets.