THE gig schedules herald a host of great music hitting Cambridgeshire over the coming months. Indie pop bands The Holloways and The Wombats share the headline duties at the Junction (Clifton Road, Cambridge) on September 20. The Holloways scored a hit wi

THE gig schedules herald a host of great music hitting Cambridgeshire over the coming months.

Indie pop bands The Holloways and The Wombats share the headline duties at the Junction (Clifton Road, Cambridge) on September 20. The Holloways scored a hit with their single, Generator, this summer which came from their much acclaimed debut album, So This Is Great Britain.

Other acts worth looking out for at the Junction include Air Traffic (September 22) Jack Penate (September 25) and the NME Rock 'n' Roll Riot Tour on September 29. Meanwhile, over at the Soul Tree, a notable highlight is The Rumble Strips. The brass-led band from Devon have been compared to Dexy's Midnight Runners, and their recent run of gigs which included a set at Glastonbury suggests the band are on the verge of becoming something rather special. The Rumble Strips play the Soul Tree on October 23 and before then other acts to play the venue include Maps (October 5) and The Hoosiers (October 19).

Perhaps of all the acts that is hitting the region shortly the gig that excites me most is Ed Harcourt's forthcoming appearance at The Graduate (Mitchams Corner, Cambridge). Harcourt is one of the truly great British songwriters currently on the scene, acclaimed worldwide without ever hitting the commercial success he deserves. Seeing him play at a venue as intimate as The Graduate on October 12 is not to be missed.

Also worth looking for at The Graduate is Tom Baxter - who plays the venue on October 21. Baxter was tipped to be the next big thing back in 2004, but things didn't work out for the sensitive songwriter. He's back now though with a new album on the way and for fans of intelligent, orchestrated songwriting, Baxter's set is a must. Couple this with the usual fine dosage of 'bigger' acts at the Cambridge Corn Exchange - in particular Maximo Park (October 7), Editors (October 11), 10cc (October 30) and Deacon Blue (November 5) and we realise the impending dark nights shouldn't mean the musical fun should stop.

RICHARD PAUL