Simon ParkinNorfolk electronica prodigy Nathan Fake headlines the first Specto at Norwich Arts Centre. LA pop oddballs Iglu & Hartly pay a visit as does Australian guitarist Jeff Lang. And grime hip hop hero Tinchy Stryder returns.Simon Parkin

SPECTO: NATHAN FAKE

Norwich Arts Centre, January 31

Norwich Arts Centre's new electronica night launches with a headline appearance from Norfolk-raised knob twiddler extraordinaire Nathan Fake

The Border Community star, who left Norwich aged 18 and now calls a bedroom studio in Hackney home, has been delivering fuzzy-edged synth and acidic techno beats since he was still in his teens.

Dividing his time between writing music, touring and remixing - previous recipients of the Nathan Fake computer-edit funk treatment include DFA's Shocking Pinks, Steve Lawler and DJ Remy - his style ranges from next-wave computer rock techno to ambient pilgrimage.

Last year he released Hard Islands, the follow up to his debut album Drowning In a Sea of Love. Recent support slots for Squarepusher and Kieran Hebden have placed him centre stage in the live arena and their heir to the UK electronica throne. Visuals will be provided by Dan Tombs.

t Further listening: www.nathanfake.co.uk

IGLU & HARTLY

Norwich Arts Centre, February 1

This Los Angeles-based five-piece arrive in Norwich as part of a 23-night rolling party across the country. Synths, raps, explosive hooks and colourful bridges make up their genre-blending sound.

The band's first single, In This City, reached number five in the UK charts in 2008 and earned them the epithet of 'one of the 20 bands making America cool again' from NME. The follow-up single, Dayglo, and their debut album, And Then Boom, also made it on to the UK charts.

Here they will be road-testing new songs amongst the hits, and fans can expect more of their notoriously off-the-hook, pool-party live antics.

The band, Jarvis Anderson and Sam Martin (vocals/keyboards), Simon Katz (guitar), Luis Rosiles (drums) and Michael Bucher (bass), use a combination of synths and rap vocals to produce sizzling live shows. Support comes from Politics and former Next Big Thing winner Ed Sheeran.

t Further listening: www.myspace.com/igluandhartly

JEFF LANG

Norwich Arts Centre, February 4

Australian-based singer-songwriter and guitarist Jeff Lang is a prolific artist who bends and blurs genres to create his own ever-evolving sound from folk, rock, blues, experimental and world music styles.

With a career that began back in the early 90s, at this show he will be playing lap steel and acoustic guitars as part of a duo with Grant Cummerford, performing songs from his new album Chimeradour, which features collaborations with musicians from Mali to Mumbai.

Over the past few years Jeff has built up an impressive back catalogue and fan base and toured with the likes of Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton and Bob Dylan.

Chimeradour, his ninth studio album, mirrors the myriad influences that have put him in the upper echelon of Australian roots music and with a burgeoning reputation around the world.

t Further listening: www.myspace.com/jefflangmusic

TINCHY STRYDER

UEA, February 5

Strange as it may seem, Norfolk has played a major part in the success Tinchy Stryder has enjoyed in the last 12-months, and he returns the favour with this much anticipated UEA appearance.

Helped by his young Norwich managers Archie Lamb and Jack Foster, last year the hip hop star enjoyed chart success with the smash-hit singles Number 1 which topped the charts for three weeks, Never Leave You which also topped the charts in August and Take Me Back which stayed in the top five of the UK charts for more than a month.

His album, Catch 22, entered the UK charts at number two in July. Having supported a variety of artists from Jack Penate through to Akon and N-Dubz, he has built up a dedicated and diverse live following in the UK and completed his first headline nationwide tour in September.

Main support this time comes from Example who rounded off an explosive 2009 supporting pop superstar Lily Allen on her UK tour and has enjoyed a top-20 single Watch The Sun Come Up.

t Further listening: www.starinthehood.net

SOUNDS IN THE CITY

t January 29

Acoustic & Eclectic: feat. Rory McVicar (indie/folk) - Olives (Elm Hill)

Emma Hall (soul/funk) - Brickmakers

Third Rail (rock/metal) - B2

Mollyhawk (Irish) - Cider Shed

Coupe De Ville (rock/pop) - Marquee

The Chill (rock/pop) - Blueberry

The Rum Brothers (country/Irish) - Temple Bar

Polaris (60s/70s) - Trowel & Hammer

Teatime Shuffle (acoustic 5pm) - Karma Kafe

t January 30

Vault Live: feat. The Great Shakes + more (indie) - Open

Floating Greyhounds + more (rock) - Brickmakers

Mohawk (rock/metal) - Marquee

Money Shot (rock) - Blueberry

James Barr (rock/pop) - Boundary

LTJ Bukem (drum n bass) - Media

The B-Side Project (album launch) - Henry's

t January 31

Jamie T (indie) - UEA

James Goodwin (blues 2.30pm) - Cider Shed

Live In The Bar (acoustic) - Birdcage

Lee Vasey Big Band (12pm) - Brickmakers

t February 1

Rory McVicar (indie) - Puppet Theatre

Abandon All Hope Promo (pop punk) - B2

Jazz N Jam (open mic) - Blueberry

The Session (open mic) - Brickmakers

t February 3

Monk Inc (jazz) - Arts Centre

Acoustic Jam (open mic) - Brickmakers

t February 4

We Can't Dance + more (indie) - B2