Banned from many of their local venues after trouble seemed to follow them, a name change from Neon Twang and having the NME proclaim The Twang the 'next big thing' obviously did the trick as they stormed from success to success throughout last year.

Signed to a reputed one million pound record deal, their debut single Wide Awake - which, when aired tonight, drives the crowd wild - found the top 20 and album Love It When I Feel Like This made number three despite being leaked on a free download site days before release.

Likened to everyone from Oasis to Happy Mondays, despite all the hysteria the truth is this band boast a strong catalogue of songs, lyrics many can relate to and a live performance most bands would die for.

Their low key tour before festival appearances later in the summer is used to test drive a few new tracks for the second album. And it's business as usual as they are slipped seamlessly into the set.

Motormouth vocalist Phil Etheridge delivers an impressive performance, maybe not quite up to The Streets standard but as fellow Brummies comparisons are inevitable. Second vocalist Martin Saunders has more of a Bez role, being famed for his extravagant dancing, but Stu Hartland's guitar licks, reminiscent of U2 at times, are inspirational.

Funniest moment recognition, though, is reserved for the 'fans' continually trying to throw beakers of beer - only to hit the ceiling a metre above their heads.

Sean Bruce




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