It's hot in the city tonight (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

It's hot in the city tonight

The Courgettes in perfect harmony at the Cat Tavern. DA5528P07They came, they played, they conquered. Joanna Snell enjoyed.

LAST weekend saw the return of Salisbury Live for the fourth year running, with a wealth of musical talent performing in more than 20 pubs and clubs across the city.

There was, of course, the usual dilemma of who to see and when to go and this year I only managed the Saturday night...

It all started, slightly later than scheduled, around 8.30pm with a sound check in the Cat Tavern on South Western Road where prog-folk group The Morrigan, billed as one of the highlights from last year, were playing.

Unfortunately with so much music going on around the city the late start forced a premature exit, but the sound check did sound good!

The next port of call was The Bull on Fisherton Street hosting a much younger band called 8 Ball Groove.

Their music varied in a way that seemed to please the majority of the audience, including their take on 'hip hop' and tracks resembling the likes of Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Fun Loving Criminals.

They should do well if spotted.

A quick call into Ale and Cider Press, opposite The Bull, produced Salisbury's very own rhythm and blues legends, The Rhythm Blasters.

It was their first appearance at Salisbury Live and they had pulled in a strong crowd.

Onwards, and arriving too early for M.A.S.S. at the Ale House on Crane Street allowed time for a rendition of 'Eminem is gay' from Chris T-T.

Slightly controversial maybe, music for thought possibly, or maybe he was just a real fan of Moby!

Road Tested in the Wig & Quill, on New Street, were disappointing with various tracks performed karaoke-style.

However, their cover-version of Billy Paul's 'Me and Mrs Jones' was excellent and had the pub cheering for more.

Moving on to '4 Real' in Spires on Endless Street where four girls were singing tracks by the likes of Christina Aguilera and the queen of pop herself - Britney!

They weren't my cup of tea but the small crowd in Spires seemed to enjoy it.

Last but not least, the discovery of 'Lady Winwoods Maggot,' a psychobilly band who had packed the Five Bells in Salt lane to bursting point.

Catching only the last few songs from this band was disappointing as they seemed to be a big crowd-pleaser and when the end came there was lots of shouting and clapping for more.

But by then it was gone 11pm and time was being called on another night of music from Salisbury Live.