Because this was a charity night, with everyone chipping in for free, it wouldn't have appealed to those who like their entertainment as regimented as a Disneyland parade.

Strings snapped without ready replacements, mics failed and levels were all over the place.

But the haphazard nature of the night seemed to bring out the best in Chris TT, The Mutts, Electric Soft Parade, British Sea Power and Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster.

Being a benefit gig, best band of the night should go to the latter, who put their recent troubles behind them to put on a storming set, all wild hair and attitude. Sadly, I'm not a charitable person and I'm already resentful about taking up so many of my 200 words on their stupid name.

BSP, in a stripped down set devoid of all the usual military costumes and plastic stalks peaking from freshly-cut foliage, were simply stunning.

Some people mistake the aforementioned decorations as gimmicks, so it was a pleasure to see their material soar on its own. While other bands sing songs, BSP perform little events with each and every track.

As my mate, a BSP virgin, said afterwards, quoting from the band's infamous T-shirt: "I think I'm a Heron Addict now!"