Red Stripe Heat Winner

THE third heat of the Red Stripe Cambridge band competition was won by Flamboyant Bella, a female fronted, piano-powered Hitchin- based, indie band. This heat featured two other bands who used piano and keys as the basis for their sound. Under the Streetl

THE third heat of the Red Stripe Cambridge band competition was won by Flamboyant Bella, a female fronted, piano-powered Hitchin- based, indie band.

This heat featured two other bands who used piano and keys as the basis for their sound.

Under the Streetlamp offered an incredibly strong performance with a great vocalist and solid tunes. Fingersmith, who clearly have a career as songwriters, played a fantastic set of mature songs played with youthful zest! After4 from St Ives finished the night with some great original blues-rock tunes played to an appreciative audience.

Paul Richards - drummer for Under the Streetlamp, writes: Obviously, it would be unfair to review my own band's set, but from where I was sitting (behind the drum kit) we certainly didn't have a bad evening.

Four-piece Flamboyant Bella were a promising proposition; a very young band, led by lively vocalist Flo, and mixing male and female vocals. Their set was enjoyable for the impressive audience.

I really enjoyed the third band of the evening, Fingersmith. A piano-led three-piece, extremely reminiscent of the music of Ben Folds Five (both musically and vocally.) The trio were tight and the musicianship at times breathtaking.

Closing the evening with half an hour of classic rock originals, popular St Ives quartet After4 took to the stage. Easily the loudest band of the evening, they were the youngest band of the heat despite also being the longest established having played their first show in 2002.

Tonight promises stunning performances from Space Cadet Steve, The Hot Bang, Linda's Nephew and Solvent UK.

INFORMATION: The Junction (Clifton Way, Cambridge) doors, 7pm, tickets, £5, including entry to the grand final on Wednesday, April 4.

RICHARD PAUL