What's on in the south next week...

THE Brook in Southampton is growing into one of the area's hottest venues for music.

Legendary guitarist Joe Louis Walker brings his seasoned Les Paul to the stage tonight for an evening of rip-roaring blues.

Born on Christmas Day in 1949 Joe has played with most of the legends of music including Jimi Hendrix, Steve Miller and The Grateful Dead.

The fret board king is now recognised as one of the most versatile, exciting and innovative blues guitarists playing the music circuit today.

Tickets £12.50.

On Tuesday American singer-songwriter Vic Chesnutt arrives at The Brook for an evening of sweet acoustic music. Confined to a wheel-chair since the age of 18 after a road accident, Vic's determination to bring his music to the masses has never waned. Counting R.E.M.'s Michael Stipe among his fans Vic's emotional style is worth every penny to watch.

Tickets £12.50.

Awesome AC/DC tribute act Dirty DC bring the band's high voltage rock'n'roll tunes to The Brook on Thursday. If you love your music loud you'll love Dirty DC.

Tickets £7.

To book tickets for any of the above concerts contact 023 8055 5366.

EIGHTIES legend Paul Young and 60s rhythm and blues kings The Manfreds take to the stage at the Pavilion Theatre in Bournemouth tonight.

Soulful 80s chart topper Paul Young will be performing all his greatest hits including Wherever I Lay My Hat (That's My Home), Come Back and Stay, Everytime You Go Away and Love Of The Common People.

The Manfreds too will be playing the hits that made them such an integral part of the 60s music scene.

Contact 0870 111 3000.

CONTINUING its series of performances from visiting American artists, the Railway Inn, Winchester hosts Texan supergroup The Resentments on Sunday. This is quite a coup for the venue, which in less than a year has established itself as one of the leading venues in the UK for Americana, rivalling London's Borderline Club.

Tickets £9. Contact 01962 867795.

THE brilliant Backbeat Beatles play the Pavilion Theatre in Bournemouth on Monday.

Regarded as one of the best Beatles tribute bands around The Backbeat Beatles have an incredibly realistic sound, impeccable pedigree and have been labelled as the only band to truly recreate the Beatle's experience.

Formed by Chris O'Neill after his performance as George Harrison in the BAFTA winning movie Backbeat, the band now features O'Neill as Paul McCartney, Paul McDonough as John Lennon, Gary Harmon as George Harrison and ex China crisis drummer David Reilly as Ringo Starr.

Tickets £15. Contact 0870 111 3000.