THERE really is something for everyone on the gig scene this week.

On Thursday, as part of 'Refugee Awareness' week in Wales, the Meze Lounge will be hosting the event Safe.

The aim of Safe is to play music from around the world and, hopefully, make people more aware of the issues surrounding refugees and asylum-seekers.

The night will be a haven for world music, DJing will be provided Andy Roberts from BBC radio's 'Jazz Collections' who'll be playing tunes thoughout the night from his eclectic bag.

Also on the bill will be music from four very different bands. First up we have The Shelleys, a six-piece folk combo from Abercarn, with a delicate acoustic sound slightly reminiscent of bands such as the Tindersticks and Lambchop.

Next on the line-up we have samba drummers Bata Tan. The band were established by the Maindee Festival Association (Newport) in spring 2001 and have since gone on to give many well received public performances.

There will also be music from 12-piece African outfit the Kongo One Band and French R & B singer Yva Melia.

Also at Meze on Monday are riot funk outfit Big Joan, plus The Death of Her Money, Bronze Age Millionaire and The Awakes

On Wednesday TJ's will be playing host to goth rock group Walls of Jericho.

This American four-piece have been playing their own brand of ferocious metalcore since the late 90s and have three releases to date, including last year's much acclaimed All Hail The Dead.

More recently they have been touring with Fear Factory and are currently on the British leg of their European tour.

Also on TJ's line-up this week we have a night of bands provided by Nash college, playing Tuesday, the list for the evening consists of Little Unknown, Story and Music is God.

Thursday pays tribute to the fathers of art-house prog rock Genesis, with a tribute act playing popular songs by the legendary band.

All hardcore fans need to head to Le Pub on tomorrow. Mea Culpa are a Bristol-based group who say they play 'metal, but it's good'.

South Wales outfit The Blackout provide us with a combination of heavy chugs and growls with melodic guitars and vocals.

Newcomers Words Can Kill have been playing since the end of last year and are touring the UK to much praise. The bands sound can go from soothing dreamy melodies to forceful heavy carnage at the drop of a chord, which means you can't help but notice this Midland-based outfit when they're doing their thing onstage.

You can also catch music from the Blue Blisters playing at the Tradesman's Arms in Machen, tomorrow. They play classic blues/rock covers, ranging from the 50s though to present day, as well as their own melodic self-penned material.

On Sunday The Risca House will have music from the 49 Giraffes who'll be playing a mix of covers from Queen, Stereophonics, The Police and Robbie Williams to name but a few.

Guide...

The Meze Lounge (6 Market Street, Newport)

Monday, June 20 Big Joan, The Death of Her Money, Bronze Age Millionaire, The Awakes £1 entry

Thursday, June 23 'Safe' (World music nite) DJ Andy Roberts, The Shelleys, Kongo One Band, Bata Tan Samba Band, Yva Mellia Open till 2am, FREE entry

TJ's (Clarence Place, Newport)

Tues, June 21: Nash College band night Little Unknown, Story, Music is God Starts 7:30pm, £3 entry

Wed, June 22: Walls of Jericho, No Comply, Dignity Dies First, Shaped By Fate Starts 7:30pm, Tickets £7 (available from Diverse and Rockaway)

Thursday, June 23: Genesis Tribute Starts 7:30pm, entry TBA

Le Pub (1 Caxton Place, Newport)

Saturday, June 18: Mea Culpa, The Blackout, Words Can Kill 1st band on at 8pm, open till 2pm, FREE entry

The Tradesman's Arms (Machen)

Saturday, June 18: Blue Blisters Starts 9pm, FREE entry

Risca House (Risca)

Sunday, June 19: 49 Giraffes Starts 8pm, FREE entry