'Preston? A city? With a music scene? You have to be kidding me, surely it's just a small-time, small-town mentality that will fade after a while.'

No actually, I'm deadly serious, while Liverpool has been busy making itself musically popular again, via the tunnel-visioned stalwarts of NME, and London turning itself culturally inept through large doses of crack and heroin, Preston has somehow managed to fashion a sublimely talented, tight-knit music scene.

The 12 Bar last night hosted what could either be seen as the culmination of 12 months hard work on behalf bands, musicians and promoters throughout the city, or as the beginning of a musical revolution, that should by all accounts have the rest of the music industry on its knees.

23 track compilation

The occasion was the launch of 'The Definitive Burn of the Big Faces', a 23 track compilation CD bringing together all walks of the city's flourishing music scene, and as early as nine o clock the venue was fit to burst with a crowd of almost 300 people squeezing through the doors to catch a glimpse of five of Britain's hottest new bands.

The night included live sets from The Redwings, Ivan Campo, The KBC, The Clones and The Jackpot Golden Boys, all of whom gave solid performance to huge crowds. For a more detailed review of the night's live music, visit the reviews section.

Written by: Dan Jeoffroy

Photography: Dan Jeoffroy