AFTER more than 20 years of regularly trawling the festival circuit Dreadzone treated Salisbury Arts Centre to a special show in a city that holds some strong connections.

Right from the first song that DJ Steve EZ spun the receptive crowd was dancing and in the spirit for a good night.

Salisbury ska band The Intercepteurs opened proceedings with a standard slick and upbeat set, this was the last show for long-serving bass player John Taylor – a fine way to sign off.

EZ then returned to the decks to round the troops ready for the headlining Dreadzone.

They jumped straight into high energy action as MC Spee conducted the crowd with his cane, any gaps in the audi- torium quickly filled as the dance floor grew rapidly.

A great night for all who attended. For fans new and old: a cracking intro- duction for first timers and a nice trip down memory lane for older fans.

AN audience of a certain age, and some very sharp suits and parkas, invaded the City Hall to relive their youth of some 35 years ago, writes Gary Sarum.

The Lambrettas took the stage to a small but growing audience and kicked off in style with Page 3 and Face to Face and then had the crowd in their pockets as they launched into their own version of the iconic All or Nothing.

I lost count of the number of songs they played but well into double figures and, by the time they finished, the front of stage resembled one of the old Mod bars down on the south coast, dancing, singing and getting down to the clear crisp sound of a band that can still strut their stuff.

Secret Affair then took to the stage as an expanded six-piece, with lead vocalist Ian Page and guitarist David Cairns remaining from the original line-up.

It may be 35 years since the release of their debut album Glory Boys, but it was as if they had never been away.

Almost non-stop and seamless, they launched into the title track and quickly followed up with crowd pleasers galore, including Going to a Go-Go, their biggest hit Time For Action and many others.

The band had the 200-or-so fans up and moving from the start. One of the highlights was Let Your Heart Dance – precise, clean and just perfect.

They may be older, greyer and more portly but the band can still entertain and they had everyone eating out of their hands.

I have to mention the after-party as well, with many of the crowd staying on to the rock steady beat of Bob and Swanny (£sd) in the bar and the fabulous sound of real vinyl. Well done all.

THIS Friday sees Stars in the Canyon – A Musical Night With Lilli Badcock and Friends, take place at the Chapel Nightclub.

The event is part of a charity challenge fundraiser Mandy Woolford is doing in memory of the late Spire FM presenter Chris Ewington. All money raised is being donated to the Stars Appeal at Salisbury Hospital.

Performing at the Milford Street venue are Lilli Badcock, Kevin Badcock, Duncan Heather and Britain's Got Talent semi-finalists Kieran and Sarah.

Tickets are on sale at eventbrite.co.uk.