Go Kart Mozart | Thu 5 Jul | Hare & Hounds | £16.50
One of Birmingham’s most underrated musical genius’, Lawrence, returns to the city with the rocking indie cabaret of Go Kart Mozart. Possessed of a lyrical cuteness that outshines the bloated Morrissey, he fronted the indie sophisticates of Felt and has always been on the cusp of deserved greatness. Celebrate a genuine musical legend on a rare live appearance in his hometown and rush out and buy new album Mozart’s Mini Mart. www.skiddle.com

Kaleidoscope #5 | Thu 5 Jul | Night Owl | Free
Summer holiday over for the wonderful arts and music cultural explosion of Kaleidoscope which is now impossibly up to its fifth event. You know the drill. The finest local bands making a beautiful racket and a chance to enjoy, even purchase, the work of challenging local artists. Sounds come from the indie folk noiseniks Robert Craig Oulton, the gloriously monikored Truman Dinosaur and troubadour/hooligan Miles Cocker. Several artists to check out including R J Davis, Beth Nicol, Amber Knight and more with Brain Food DJs filling in any gaps with wildly eclectic tunes. www.facebook.com

Projector | Thu 5 Jul | Sunflower Lounge | £6.60
We hope the Sunflower Lounge roof is nailed on pretty tight as Projector’s huge wall of sound may just take it off otherwise, sky high riffs of powerful indie pop tinged with an industrial edge, it’s a juggernaut of sound that just might take your head off. Support comes from Mixtape Saints and Ed Strong. www.seetickets.com

Mostly Jazz & Funk Festival | Fri 6 Jul – Sun 8 Jul | Moseley Park | £120 (wknd) £50 (day)
It’s that time of year again, last year was a sun drenched beauty as a majestic weekend was rounded off by the imperious Chaka Khan. This time round the sun has been turned up to eleven and there really is only one place to be this weekend to enjoy legends Sister Sledge, Candi Staton and a myriad more, check out our full preview here.

Banstock | Sat 7 Jul | Bantock House | £19.15
The beautiful Bantock House is the setting for a gorgeous afternoon featuring some of the regions finest musicians performing exclusively acoustic sets. Stourbridge is well represented with the Wonderstuff raconteur in chief Miles Hunt headlining and Ned’s Atomic Dustbin noiseniks John and Rat playing a more restrained gig than in the riotous moments of years gone by. It’s a strong lineup that includes Wild Flowers, Two Faced Tom & The Bootleg Boys and more, with food, craft ales and Bantock House itself to explore, go upstairs and try dress up. www.wolvescivic.co.uk

Loathe | Sat 7 Jul | Flapper | £5
The Liverpool metal merchants come jackhammering into Birmingham on the back of killer new EP This Is As One, split with Holding Absence. Trading in synth laden pile driving dissonance Loathe are an absolute powerhouse of noise, support comes from Norma Jean, Protest The Hero and Life Against Time. www.seetickets.com

The Contortionist | Mon 9 Jul | Asylum | £12
One of the more sophisticated proponents of progressive metal, The Contortionist have been at the forefront of the new breed of rockers since bursting onto the scene with 2007’s intense Sporadic Movements EP. Last year’s Clairvoyant album, the bands fourth, saw the band explore mellower (but still pounding) pastures that wasn’t to all their fans liking, it’s still a powerful record and live The Contortionist have lost none of that early edge. www.seetickets.com