IT'S not that often (Blackwood 'Stute aside) that there is much to shout about gig-wise outside the Newport-Cardiff venues.

So it is only fair that I start this week's round-up with a look at the second Torfaen Rockfest, which has bagged Cardiff's finest lo-fi exponents, Rocket Goldstar, as the headline act.

Rocket Goldstar are most infamous for the 'Mayday, Mayday' live 12-hour single, which boosted their reputation in the national music Press. And they have that lo-fi, Pavement-esque approach to their music which Damon Albarn would have gladly given up his mockney flat caps and contrived ideologies for.

Also from FF Vinyl and on the Rockfest bill is Amy Wadge, the 25-year-old acoustic singer who can be found regularly on gig lists around Cardiff.

Holding what can only be described as the calming slot, Amy, who has supported Nick Harper in the past, and was at this year's Hay-on-Wye festival, will offer a welcome antidote with her delicate, rootsy, acoustic set.

The Rockfest is being held at the Stables Bar, White Hart Inn, Abersychan, on Saturday. Gates open at noon, and there will also be a stall by SODEM (Society for Disabled and Enabled Motorists).

Completing the strong local line-up are Merthyr's Pilot Fish, Pontypool's Brando, Port Talbot's Legs Akimbo, The Statementallity, from Newport, McFly, and Goldfish from Cwmbran.

Fast becoming regulars in these parts, with their second Cardiff gig of the summer, are Texan trio, Lift to Experience.

The gig is billed as a warm-up to their appearance at the Reading festival. The Lifts' mighty sound is tinged with gospel, as befits a three-piece whose singer and drummer are, as Dusty Springfield might put it, literally sons of preachermen.

Their mighty debut album, Texas-Jerusalem Crossroads, touches those parts frequented by the likes of the Pixies, not in terms of sounds, but certainly in terms of attitude and style. For a truly evangelical experience see them play Barfly on Saturday. Entry £4.

If you're not at the Henrees in Le Pub on Thursday night (free as usual), then there is every chance that you can get to the Manics, who are playing in the CIA on the same night.

Far more interesting, however, is the support slot from Gorky's Zygotic Mynci. I have just had a taster of their new single, Stood on Gold, which is out on September 3 on Mantra Records. The single is classic Gorky's, rich in colourful, folky instrumentation, and expertly crafted. And hats off to the particularly impressive cover of Gene Clark's Out on the Side.

And a bit of late news, but definitely a date for your diary, is bank holiday Monday's Pill Carnival.

The organisers have teamed up with John Sicolo to put on a free TJ's bands extravaganza with a string of top local bands, including Headtest, and Mulge, all performing. More details of the line-up coming next week.