Fronted by vocalist/keyboardist/guitarist Banks, Haunts sound like the Cars caught up in an 80s washing-machine with Depeche Mode, Talking Heads, Gary Numan, Sisters Of Mercy and, oddest of all, Barkmarket.

On their last date of the tour, Canada’s Ten Kens seemed a tad tired but undisputedly gave their best.

Any band who can inspire the likes of Neil Young’s producer to fly across the Atlantic to see them is worthy of note.

Luckily for the Days, the crowd at Blackpool were in an all-out partying mood. Luckily for Blackpool, the Days were an act worth being really bothered about.

Amongst all those who’ve contributed to the rock’n’roll cause, Lemmy has provided the basest of thrills, a juggernaut whose name should’ve been added to the Rock’n’Roll Hall of Fame at least ten years ago.

This is the woman that every woman wants to be, and at a push would even admit to wanting to be with her. She makes music for girls, but single straight men happily buy her tickets.

After seeing them live it still makes me think that it is music for money and not for taste.

It’s been almost two years exactly since Less Than Jake toured the UK extensively, and for better or worse not much has changed.

It surely won’t be long until the Flytes are mentioned in the same breath as Maximo Park and the Futureheads as the North East’s premier music talents.

A quasi-empty room is never a good sign but Team Waterpolo pull off an entertaining show; just about.

If they continue to play as consistently well as they do tonight then they’ll have a legion of fans old and new in no time.

It wasn’t a fantastic night - those times have been and gone, sadly - but it was a more than enjoyable performance that shows there’s life in the old band yet.

Ros James checks out three up and coming acts at Oxford’s Carling Academy.

There is, in all, something quite touching about being in the presence of a band instilled with such exuberance and charm.

Stephen Milnes reports back from the first Leeds festival not to be sponsored by Carling.