Farmyard Records present...

Nottingham quartet Mint Ive's current status as possibly the city's biggest band could be seen as being one of those overnight success stories you only read about in tabloid newspapers. But that couldn't be further form the truth if it were chauffeur-driven to the airport and sent packing on a 747 to South America.

Their story is one in the eye for those who say all good things should come to those who wait, as Mint Ive have done anything but sit on their backsides in the hope fortunes will change at some point. Instead, they've played the city's pub and club circuit at a rate of almost three gigs per week over the past year or so, blagged their way onto aftershow party slots for some of the biggest names in the business who've stopped by in Nottingham, and, more importantly, developed their songwriting at a rate of knots to the point where anyone who may have witnessed the band 18 months ago would honestly believe them to be an entirely different entity altogether today.

Indeed, the first time I saw them at the now-closed Cabaret around that time it was cringe-inducing to watch, as their set was littered with cover versions by the likes of The Libertines, relegating any original material they had at the time to the status of also-ran.

But that was then and this is now, and tonight's sold-out show - the first unsigned band to ever sell out Nottingham's Social venue, fact fans - heralds yet another change in direction as the band, and in particular frontman Will Lillejord (pictured), seem to be bursting with an energy and self-belief that demands everyone's attention, not least the industry scouts around the room no doubt already preparing their cheque books and contractual obligations.

Lillejord uses his guitar as a weapon as much as a musical instrument, his gladiatorial instincts almost akin to a foot soldier leading the charge across Bosworth Hill, while the rest of his band play as if their lives depended on the next 30 minutes - which I suppose to some extent they may well do.

Taking their inspiration from the classic songwriters of the past four decades - there are elements of The Beatles, Bob Dylan, T-Rex, Oasis and The Verve in what they do - Mint Ive have in their repertoire at least four sure-fire hit singles in the making, as the raucous 'Brother' and anthemic set closer 'White Straight Line' prove, while many bands with higher profiles would kill for such gems as 'Rendezvous' and '52 Charges'. Their loyal fanbase even has their own chant of "210!", which isn't quite as obvious as_ "The View are on fire!"_, but is a damn sight more potent and interesting nonetheless.

While it would be foolish to say Mint Ive are the finished article, their potential is frightening. If they can continue to develop throughout 2007, in six months time you could be looking at one hell of an exciting proposition indeed.