The zeitgeist ebbs and flows in music culture, but some groups skilfully sidestep the trends and last the test of time. With a solid back catalogue behind them already, Admiral Fallow are gently approaching their 20th anniversary but continue to inspire. Their no-nonsense aesthetic isn’t showy but their musical abilities certainly are, as demonstrated on their recent fifth album, First Of The Birds, released in 2025. Acoustic folk, indie pop, prog rock and even flashes of jazz entwine themselves within their evolving sound, never losing sight of the song in the centre of it all. Watch Louis Abbott and the gang perform at PJ Molloy’s in Dunfermline (Saturday 10 October) and witness their unforced onstage alchemy.

Nostalgia ain’t what it used to be, huh? Men and women of a certain age must thrill at the sheer amount of heritage acts treading the boards and celebrating anniversaries these days. It’s now 40 years since Miles Hunt and his prickly, post-punk perspicacity first ear-wormed its way into our contemporary consciousness via the addictive, gnarly pop of The Wonder Stuff. The Stourbridge upstarts stormed the charts and won the hearts of grebos and indie kids across the land, making an indelible mark at the time. Despite sniffy reviews from a jaded music press over the years, The Stuffies are well loved by many to this day and bring along the great Inspiral Carpets for support. Join this ruby anniversary celebration at Glasgow’s legendary Barrowlands (Wednesday 14 October).

I can also guarantee you a sweaty, high-octane night of communal joy in the company of Ibibio Sound Machine at Edinburgh’s Liquid Room (Friday 23 October). Shaking up afrobeat, electronica, post punk and hyper funk with a Nigerian/London twist, the band always brings the party with the glamorous and glittery Eno Williams up front. She has star quality and a voice to match, which she uses to raise the roof with songs delivered in English and her native Ibibio tongue. Some bands dial it in every night, but not this lot. With six albums of bangers to choose from, let them start your weekend as you mean to go on. Are you dancing? I’m asking!

Listen to Vic Galloway every Monday night on BBC Radio Scotland or anytime on BBC Sounds.

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