Simon ParkinTHE TEMPER TRAPNorwich Arts Centre, September 18Two-years after they released their initial EP in their native Australia, The Temper Trap have been whipping up a storm at various festivals this summer, including a storming set at Latitude.Simon Parkin

THE TEMPER TRAP

Norwich Arts Centre, September 18

Two-years after they released their initial EP in their native Australia, The Temper Trap have been whipping up a storm at various festivals this summer, including a storming set at Latitude.

The Melbourne quartet produce an atmospheric, captivating sound, created using grand guitars, pulsating rhythms and yearning vocals.

Their debut album, Conditions, out on October 13, is full of chiming guitars, sweeping crescendos, and cherubic falsetto, and was helmed by renowned British producer Jim Abbiss, who has previously worked with Arctic Monkeys, Adele, Bj�rk and Kasabian. He flew down under especially to work with them.

Having recently relocated to London, his return to the region comes as part of their hotly anticipated debut full UK tour.

Support now comes from Goldhawks, who mix vintage Americana with quintessentially British fare, and not as previously advertised The Magistrates.

t Further listening: www.myspace.com/thetemptertrap

RUMBLE STRIPS

Waterfront, September 22

Fresh from working with super-producer Mark Ronson on their second album, Welcome To The Walk Alone, the only band named after traffic calming measures return.

The Devon band's decision to rope in Ronson, after Charlie Wheeler sang lead vocals on Back to Black for producer Mark Ronson at The Electric Proms, plus orchestral arrangements from Arcade Fire collaborator Owen Pallett, is perhaps an effort to broaden their sound and avoid being lumped in with the increasingly out-of-favour indie-rock masses.

The result is an album that fully indulges their influences from Ennio Morricone strings to ska to French chanson. At their best they sound like the Coral.

Best of all they sound delighted to be playing it, which always bodes well for live shows, and they should be in good form aftre a summer doing the festival rounds.

t Further listening: www.myspace.com/rumblestripsuk

CHUCK PROPHET & THE MISSION EXPRESS

Norwich Arts Centre, September 22

Guitar-slinger Chuck Prophet brings his full band to the Arts Centre in support of his new studio album, iLet Freedom Ring.

Prophet started his wild ride back in 1984, with Green on Red, the seminal purveyors of American rock-roots. Since then he has recorded nine solo albums and toured with the likes of Lucinda Williams, Aimee Mann, Cake and Jonathan Richman.

Ryan Adams, Solomon Burke and Heart have recorded his songs, along with a host of others. His last album, 2007's Soap and Water, was heralded as some of the best work of his career.

Chuck wrote the songs on his new album last summer in one long spurt. It's a concept album and the need to be recorded somewhere raw and energising, so he relocated to Mexico City.

The results can be heard from the Clash-inspired opener Song Liston's Blues to the power pop of Let Freedom Ring and the Eddie Cochran-infused Good Time Crowd. Support comes from Otis Gibbs.

t Further listening: www.myspace.com/chuckprophetofficial

ACOUSTIC LADYLAND

Norwich Arts Centre, September 24

This most singular of bands loves to mess with convention, although there is nothing about them that is tricksy or arch. Their sound is jazz - but not in the least inhibited by the jazz tradition, fired by fierce post-punk attitude.

Based upon their mutual distaste for jazz sterility and respect for Jimi Hendrix (hence the name), Acoustic Ladyland have been rattling minds since inception in 2001.

The rolling roster of collaborators revolves around Pete Wareham (saxophone/vocals) with Seb Rochford (of Mercury nominated Polar Bear) on thunderous drums, Tom Herbert (bass) and Tom Cawley (keys).

Their 2005 album, Last Chance Disco, saw them another break with jazz tradition with the drafting in of acclaimed indie music producer Paul Epworth. Their latest album, Living With A Tiger, edges even closer to a full-on rock album, albeit one informed by jazz.

t Further listening: www.myspace.com/acousticladylandmusic

SOUNDS IN THE CITY

t September 18

Rendezvous In Vienna (classical) - King of Hearts

A Genuine Freakshow (indie) - B2

Circus (rock) - King Edward VII

Worlds Apart (rock) - Brickmakers

My Visor (rock/indie) - Marquee

Secondhand Blues (blues) - Walnut Tree Shades

Emma Hall Band (soul/pop) - Blueberry

Rrradiogee (Irish/world) - Cider Shed

iBand (rock) - Reindeer

She/Sez (rock/pop) - The Firs

t September 19

Wilde Club: feat. Nephu Huzzband (indie) - Arts Centre

The Kabeedies (indie) - B2

Abyss (rock) - Blueberry

To The Last (rock) - King Edward VII

Floating Greyhounds (rock) - Brickmakers

Plug Promo - Marquee

In Rapture (rock) - Club Fantasy

Hotwired (punk) - Ten Bells

V8 Rumble (rockabilly) - Horse & Dray

Get Carter (rock) - The Stanley

t September 20

The Wildhearts (rock) - Waterfront

Pint Sizes Promo (metal/pop) - B2

Jeffrey Brothers + Beyond Duplication (rock) - King Edward VII

Branded By Fate (funk/rock) - Marquee

Pinky Umbrella (bluegrass/world/folk) - Cider Shed

Lee Vasey Big Band (12pm) - Brickmakers

Pete 'Kiwi' Keegan (skiffle) - Rivergarden

t September 21

Rampant Horse Collective (folk) - Rumsey Wells

Jazz Jam (open mic) - Blueberry

Sessions (open mic) - Brickmakers

t September 22

Screaming Ground Promo (indie) - Marquee

Wreckless Eric & Amy Rigby (folk/rock) - Brickmakers

Paul Higgs Trumpet (jazz) - Rackheath Green Man

t September 23

Kajagoogoo (pop) - Waterfront

Natacha Atlas & The Mazeeka Emsemble (world) - Arts Centre

A Fate Untold (pop-punk) - B2

Pure Acoustic (open mic) - Brickmakers

Jam (rock/blues) - Blueberry

The Session (Irish) - Cider Shed

t September 24

The Cribs (indie) - UEA

Softbodies (pop-punk) - B2

Aftershock (pop/rock) - Brickmakers

Unremarkables (indie/rock) - Blueberry

The Late Stan Guevara (jazz/blues/folk) - Rose Tavern

Jeffrey Brothers (rock) - Walnut Tree Shades