I have to start this week with an apology.

A couple of weeks ago I used this column to try to make a point about the amount of easily available gig information when trying to compile a guide such as this.

Although the nature of the comments were intended to be tongue in cheek hyperbole, exaggeration used to make a point, it has been pointed out to me that I may have pitched the article slightly unfairly.

In the case of Baker Street I agree that my comments were inaccurate and any lack of information in this column regarding gigs taking place at the venue is a failing on my part and not the venue itself or the promoter who arranges those shows.

I therefore apologise for the comments made and any upset they have caused to those involved with these bookings. Right humble pie eaten, down to business.

At The Victoria tonight is a band whose return seems to have created a bit of a buzz around the online hangouts of the discerning music fan. The headline act at tonight’s Songs of Praise show features Case Hardin, a brilliant Americana five-piece that match the emotive song writing of Springsteen with the alt-country authenticity of Whiskeytown.

Support comes from the wonderfully atmospheric, delicate tones of Rumour Shed and emerging new band Timid Deer open the night with their timeless folk sound.

Other rootsy offerings are also available in the shape of Hiproute who bring their fired up and funked out acoustic blues to The Beehive.

However, if rock is more your thing then you may wish to head out to Riffs Bar for some high octane rock and low-fi punk with Shock Hazard and Diagonal People respectively.

The big name for Friday is The Brompton Mix, a melting pot of classic 60s melodies, punk spirit, Weller-esque style, a dash of early Oasis and a whole bunch of stage presence and charisma. They are at The Victoria.

For something more tripped out and leftfield, head to The Beehive where you will be treated to the psychedelic blues, progressive song structures, old school rock and roll grooves, modern sampling, spoken word and manic shoegazy guitar wig outs of The Automaniacs. What’s not to like?

The Rolleston has The Pre-Fab four… a tribute to the Beatles, obviously, and out at Riffs Bar, the Acoustic Sessions feature the warm folk sounds of Ethemia with support from Rob Richings.

If you are looking for original music on Saturday then it is back to Riffs Bar with Talk in Code’s blend of stadium synth and anthemic guitar sounds, dance grooves and pop sensibility.

They are joined by the low sung Americana of Newquay Times, the brash alt-rock of Away With Words and the acoustic duo, The Consuelas. They all play in aid of Animal Asia charity.

Elsewhere it is tributes to Green Day at The Victoria, Ian Dury and The Blockheads at The Rolleston and at The Swiss Chalet Broken Image play a selection of iconic classic rock numbers.

With the day of rest, that’s Sunday to you and me, comes some more relaxing musical moments. The Lazy Sunday afternoon at The Arts Centre, the regular fixture curated by Mr Love and Justice, is host to two great players. Ed Hanfrey, once of the ubiquitous Lavington Bound, is now ploughing a very traditional folk furrow of storytelling lyrics and shanty stylings, whilst Tamsin Quin plays a more contemporary folk music often with a bluesy edge.

Your hosts for the session offer their usual mix of social comment and slick pop folk.

Culture vultures should note that on Tuesday, Baker Street open their doors to Balanca Quintet, a Latin Jazz outfit of some renown led multi lingual singer and percussionist, Cathy Jones. The band also features the talents of tenor saxophonist Kevin Figes, best know for his work with big band Resonation.

The week rounds off with two options on acoustic music on Wednesday with Dick Cadbury appearing at The Roaring Donkey and The Crown offering Charlie Anne and Ben Cipolla.

All about... The AK-Poets

There is a well-worn adage about old dogs and new tricks, but when the old tricks seem to be much more entertaining than anything the young dogs have to offer, it’s an adage that becomes redundant very quickly.

And so it is with the AK-Poets, a three-piece of seasoned musicians who wear their musical inspirations for all to see. Theirs might be a straight down the line rock show, but not only does it neatly encapsulate everything that ever made the spirit of rock and rock such a volatile force, it does so without resorting to over done gimmicks or hipsterish cliché, fashion statements and complex hairstyles.

If all that sounds unadventurous, believe me it isn’t. Main man David Marx has a wonderfully dexterous way with melodies whether he’s hammering home brutally straightforward rock outs such as Cold Blood or the more intricate swing beats of The Madness of Love. Add to this a raucous guitar style and one of the best rhythm sections around (Pat Luszcz and Richard Skidmore on bass and drums respectively) and you have a very potent musical weapon.

Their recent gig at The Beehive was a perfect lesson to younger bands of just how you put on a show: coming on to a boxing match introduction, they ran through a set of songs that punched well above the adage “local” – though I guess everyone has to be local to somewhere. Riffs ricocheted off the wall, back beats pummelled their way into the floor and bass lines pulsated and prowled just below the surface.

As the line between band and punter constantly blurred this became a show that had more akin to Ladbroke Groove in 1977 than to the fickle fashions and self-aggrandisement of the modern age.

And with a set of songs any of which is strong enough in its own right to be a single, this is a band who can show the younger dogs a thing or two about their craft.