THE live music weekend got underway last Thursday with Big Country at City Hall Salisbury in the year they celebrated the 30th anniversary of the release of Steeltown.

Simon Hough is now on vocals following the death of original frontman Stuart Adamson. A great delivery of the hits showed that despite the changes the band, flanked by founder member Bruce Watson on guitar, still had the same Big Country feel after all this time.

In a Big Country got the biggest reception of the night by the slightly reserved audience.

Next up on Friday was Skindred, a unique act who regularly rub shoulders with rock's royalty as they grace the main stages on the festival circuit.

What they delivered was a fantastic blend of reggae metal which got an energetic Friday crowd jumping about in appreciation.

Taking the occasional break from the full throttle tirade to take a breather the DJ kept the crowd ticking over in anticipation of the next songs, which Benji Webbe led fantastically.

Altar Club returned for its monthly outing on Saturday at Salisbury Arts Centre with Cougar Pilot tasked with the opening slot. They played a slick set of radio friendly rock accompanied brilliantly by the voice of Adam McGuinness – this four piece grow each time.

Band of brothers Pugwall were next up, and it’s always fun watching the Cooke clan, whose receptive fans lapped up their set, including the always fun to hear cover of Peaches.

Funke and The Two Tone Baby then took to the stage to showcase his spellbinding use of guitar, harmonica, beat boxing with loop pedals. It was his name that was on everyone’s lips before the gig and it was his after as he didn’t disappoint.

Bigtopp got everybody dancing with their feel-good ska before the night finished with electro swing from Speak Easy Soundsystem.

MUSIC4FUN held a successful charity event on Friday, November 14 at Laverstock and Ford Sports Club.

Performing on the night were Drop Off Zone, Stiff Joints, The M4F House Band and Barely Legal, who all helped raise a brilliant sum of £2,000 for Salisbury Hospice. A well done to the organisers from all at Salisbury Journal, some of which are pictured above.

A CD launch party will take place at the Old Ale House on Saturday for Lump.

The EP The 7th City (The Chronicles Part1) was recorded at Salisbury’s own Railside Records studios.

The recording will feature six compositions and narrative all about life, events and people from Salisbury and the area.

The EP will be available on the night, priced at £3 with £1 from each sale going to the DEC Ebola charity fund. Break Cover and The Threads support.

NEXT Friday marks the start of Shiptoons in Shipton Bellinger with Ranagri and Oliver Rose due to perform at the Village Centre.

Tickets are available at £9 in advance details can be found at shiptoons.co.uk