HOT Chip are not only one of the coolest indie-dance bands around, they are among the most unlikely. Kicking out against the legions of skinny-jeans wearing clones, they are a refreshing blast of individualism. And their music has the power not just to get a crowd moving but to deeply move. On Tuesday, the former Mercury Music Prize nominees return to Oxford to promote new album, Made In The Dark. Out now and available to download, it's propulsive, repetitive, rhythmic, methodical, wonky, intimate and beautiful - if you liked The Warning (and let's face it, who didn't?), you'll love this. Sadly the gig at the Carling Academy has sold out.

THE biggest surprise this week comes with the announcement that Wheatley's finest, Supergrass, are to headline Cropredy Festival. More used to ripping it up at the likes of Glastonbury and Reading, Gaz and the lads top the bill at the annual north Oxfordshire folk fest on the Thursday night - alongside the awesome John Tams and something called Whapweasel (who, I wager, all have pewter tankards clipped to their aged leather belts). Other names to watch out for include Sixties legend Joe Brown; anarcho-folk-rock stompers Levellers and Ultravox's Midge Ure. The fest runs from August 7-9.

WHILE we're talking festivals, make a note in your diary: this year's Truck takes place on July 19 and 20 (notwithstanding climatic disasters). If you can't wait 'til then (and who can?) then get yourself to Wallingford's Portcullis club on Saturday, to see Danny & The Champions of The World (featuring the talents of Truck's Joe and Robin Bennett), Binsey Americana-heads The Epstein, Family Machine, Rami and Sportsbag DJs.

IF YOU'RE out and about on Sunday, and happen to be in the vicinity of The Brickworks, you're in for a very big treat indeed. Oxford's now legendary DJ Nathan T Pyle, of the 'I'm afraid of' collective, has been flexing his music industry connections and landed one of the buzziest new acts around - Ting Tings. Entry is free.

FORMING last summer at Oxford University, The Glitches play their first Academy headline show on Saturday, with support from Orphan Boy and Not My Day. Doors open at 7pm. Tickets are a fiver.