The Newtones, Loose Baby Charlotte, The Anglians, Daniel Flay.

Esquires Bedford Lev 2 2nd May 2006.

Tonight's gig was all about raising money for a good cause.

Since last October Students from De Montford University have been collecting money in order to send six P.E. students to Malawi, Africa. They are travelling in July to spend four weeks there to continue the work that was started last year. It involves renovating and refurbishing a school and teaching children and the students will be taking equipment for the school across with them. Ten thousand pounds is the magical sum required and it says something for the fundraising abilities of these kids that this figure has already been achieved and exceeded. Coincidentally, on tonight's Six O'Clock news there was a report about Malawi experiencing a severe drought. Certainly a noble cause and best wishes to the students on their travels. If you would like to know more about this most worthwhile cause you can go to www.childhoodandyouth.net. Alternatively, you can e-mail one of the organisers here.

Opening up was DAN FLAY (tonight backed by his HELICOPTER INSPECTORS!). Tonight it is a short and sweet four song set as the boys had the small matter of a gig in Cambridge tonight booked for 9:30! So, at 8:55 after they had royally entertained us, they said their goodbyes and headed east.

After a marvellous debut performance downstairs in the bar early last month, LOOSE BABY CHARLOTTE gave a sublime performance on the level 2 stage. Running through a similar set as before, it was the as yet untitled new song which stood out, having a feel of The Smiths about it. The gorgeous blissed out 'A Permanent Reminder' ended a lovely set of beautifully played songs.

Inbetween these two acts were THE ANGLIANS who, after a series of technical problems, had their stuttering performance thankfully truncated.

Finishing the evening off were those young upstarts THE NEWTONES who, despite having played her before just a week or so ago, they impress again. The superb interplay between the Sells brothers makes this band visually compelling and when this is combined with their collection of brash and powerful songs, it makes for an exciting set. Their energetic performance rounds of this charity evening in a fitting manner.