James Blunt
On tour

Just when you thought he had settled into a life of leaving nightclubs with attractive lady companions, back comes James Blunt to active duty. Very much the living proof that an acoustic guitar doesn't make you a folk singer, Blunt - an old Harrovian and former army officer - may come from privilege, but undoubtedly has the popular touch. Though on the surface virtually indistinguishable from scores of indifferent singer-songwriters, for the past two years, the likes of singles You're Beautiful and the more recent 1973 have established themselves in the public's affections with the kind of subtlety one would expect from a composer who has driven tanks in the military. For Blunt, his "If it works, repeat the chorus ad nauseam" policy has awarded him with a playboy lifestyle, and led to his ubiquity. Who knew, though, we'd eventually miss Robbie Williams for his personality?

· Carling Academy Glasgow, Wed 9; Corn Exchange, Edinburgh, Thu 10; Apollo, Manchester, Fri 11

Pete & The Pirates
London

It's not with guitar bands that Pete & The Pirates have most in common. So old school is their take on indie rock, they're more reminiscent of people who dress up in period costume and re-enact the battles of the medieval era. It's potentially an unfashionable occupation, but it's one the Reading band have taken to with gusto. Their songs a clanging guitar racket, the perceived charm and personality of the players will hopefully divert attention away from the artlessness of their compositions. So far a mini album, Wait Stop Begin, has demonstrated the validity of their ambitions - the likes of Come On Feet display a uniquely British detail, which flirts with cringe - but in the new year, an album proper may showcase a heightened polish.

· Astoria 2, WC2, Sat 5

Track And Field Winter Sprinter
London

The rise of intelligent indie bands - Arcade Fire, Modest Mouse and the like - has been big news in America and Canada, but not much fuss has been made over our versions of the same thing. The Track And Field organisation's mini festival makes an early bid to rectify that in 2008. Londoners the Clientele are makers of introspective, 1960s pop classicism, while Cambridge's Broken Family Band are on a more countrified tip, but there remains a common thread between the headliners. Both articulate, rather unassuming, and no doubt beloved of solitary red wine drinkers with moleskine notebooks, the bands here are bookish, perhaps, but not afraid to stop hugging the walls and step into the spotlight when the occasion demands.

· The Luminaire, NW6, Tue 8 & Wed 9

Martin Carthy
Norwich, Bury

Though folk music is enjoying a spirited revival, it's been the American traditional songbook that has been felt to be most influential. Slowly, however, a wider audience is coming to appreciate British folk musicians, and the likes of Bert Jansch and Martin Carthy are now on the road to a resurgence of general interest. Pirate earring notwithstanding, Carthy is not the hippest of musicians - when he went electric it was with Steeleye Span - but he remains a cornerstone of British traditional music. An impressive stylist, whose settings of folk songs have become standards, the guitarist is generally known by the company he keeps (with Norma Waterson in Waterson: Carthy, and his longstanding partnership with fiddler Dave Swarbrick). Here, though, is a chance to see him solo (Norwich), as well as with Swarbrick (Bury).

· Norwich Arts Centre, Mon 7; The Met, Bury, Fri 11