THE BEAT

HUNDREDS of ska and reggae fans packed the City Hall on Saturday as one of the genre’s most legendary acts entertained the crowds. It was hard to spot anyone not dancing as The Beat, supported by local group The Intercepteurs, ignited a very special atmosphere.

The Intercepteurs opened proceedings with the lively Northern Song and periodically slipped a new song into their set – Wednesday Man is a real gem.

Excitement could hardly be contained as The Beat took to the stage and off we went on a journey through their back catalogue.

I saw the act at last year’s Larmer Tree Festival and they once more sent the crowd into a frenzy of skanking, giving them plenty of chances to interact with sing-along choruses.

Hands Off She's Mine was an early set favourite before their own take on Rock The Casbah prepared the voices for Rankin’ Full Stop and Mirror In The Bathroom in quick succession.

Rankin’ Roger was joined by his son Murphy (Rankin’ Jnr) with vocals and some dub and rap contributions.

THOM BELK 

ECHOTAPE: The Old Ale House was rocking like the good old days, with standing room only for the headline act Echotape.

They brought down the house with their own brand of energetic indie rock, with all four members providing powerful vocal harmonies, echoing loudly throughout the pub.

The smiling faces of the heaving crowd gave a good indicator that Echotape are really going places. Support came from Coventry's Yes Sunshine who delighted with their fast-paced set.

MATT KNIGHT

BASE CONNECTION

On the back of the much-debated cuts planned to youth services in Wiltshire, a protest gig will take place this Saturday organised by those who hold Bass Connection close to their hearts.

Bow Street Revolt, 8.05, Robb Blake, Middlenamekill, Things Behind The Sun, Martha Beck, Young Brando and Junk DNA form the bill.

Tickets are £5 and are available from Salisbury Arts Centre, or on the door.