Joski

Ok so I know this is becoming a bit of a theme but I totally forgot to find out whereabouts in Reading the After Dark club is and I know that I even promote in Reading but I just didn't know, ok!

Anyway after apprehending some locals and discovering they are going to the very same gig I follow them to the venue.

The After Dark doesn't normally play host to live music, but it should. Tonight the bands are fighting to open the Carling Stage at the Reading festival, there are Carling posters everywhere and the said liquid is just £1 per can. The makings of a good evening are afoot.

Wake are already on stage when I arrive, I have seen Wake twice before and always found them a little boring but tonight they are on top form, the sound is immaculate and the singers voice really powerful.

The Fender Rhodes melts seamlessly in to the acoustic guitar and *Wake *sound like summer.

It's over as soon as it begins as each band is only playing 30 minute sets and after a 20 minute break Sunset Sound take the stage. They include former members of Gel and Period Pains and all look great.

There performance is excellent and they look like their having a great time, the biggest problem is that they're over performing and you start to question if they mean it.

They're a 5 piece with 4 front people all singing and all at the front of the stage - who should I watch? This puzzles me to the end but I conclude the main male and the female vocalist should stay at the front and the other two guys should find their way to the back of the stage.

There sound is pop really, swirling keyboard sounds, fast guitars not too much distortion, it's easy to envisage Sunset Sound on Top of The Pops. All the energy, great hair, average songs - they'll go far.

Another 20 minute 'interval' and several cans of Carling later Blitz Tennesse add rock to the proceedings. It must be said although I didn't enjoy this band they are good. And in fact worth going to see just in case the guitarist recreates the pose on the right.

Both he and the lead vocalists have impressive voices, there sound is dated but they do it well. Lots of guitar solos and an impressively tight sound. They deserve to be here but it's not their night.

The evening finishes with another great performance from a band to watch out for in the next year Joski have huge riffs, big melodies and thumping bass. The vocals are strong and the banter entertaining. For a band playing just there 4th gig this really is impressive.

It's nearly midnight the venue remains packed with people dancing to the lo-fi sound of Joski.

Who won? Well it felt obvious from the minute they went on stage **Sunset Sound** will open the Carling Reading Festival this year. They're certainly the most picture friendly but they weren't the best band on the night.

In their genre's Wake and Joski both out played them but judges always go for the nice haircuts.

Overall 4 genuinely talented bands, and a great night, one of the best gigs I've seen this year.