Choice

Del Amitri

Del Amitri have suffered enough. For nearly a decade we have thought of them as the Worthy McStodges of Scottish rock: stubbly, well-meaning but dull as soup. But things are afoot. As their new album reveals, the Dels have become a rock band with lumps in, with the ability to write real songs and then spoil them only slightly with textural references to Neil Young. Let them be-stubble your soul in Norwich, Leicester, London and Cambridge this week, but only after lending your support to dear old Kirsty MacColl in Harlesden tonight.

Those unsure whether to go with the flow (The Orb, Leicester, Sheffield) or the flash (Luscious Jackson, Bristol, Birmingham, London) should stop worrying and go see Lee Konitz (above) in Camden next Thursday. You might not bond instantly with his cool, cerebral saxophone doodle but there will come a time you'll be glad you tried.