INDIE-ROCKERS Little Comets returned to the South to play a brilliant sell-out concert.

The North-East band chose The Joiners on St Mary Street as one of two warm-up gigs ahead of major shows at Reading and Leeds Festival later this month.

Performing as part of a five-piece for the first time, lead singer-guitarist Robert Coles, his brother and lead guitarist Michael and bassist Matt Hall led the band through a medley of big songs.

Their third album, Hope is Just a State of Mind, was a top 40 hit in the official chart and reached number 3 in the indie rankings earlier this year and new tunes like Gift of Sound and Little Italy were definite hits with the capacity crowd.

But it was classic numbers from their previous two albums that really took things to another level.

Their debut single from 2009, One Night in October, was greeted by a huge singalong while Joanna and Dancing Song saw even more frenzied activity at the front.

The band were enjoying it too. The back-to-front baseball cap wearing drummer beamed his way through the set.

Frontman Robert told The Southern Daily Echo that the band had chosen to return as they had great memories from their last gig there almost exactly two years ago to the day.

They still think the long trip down the M1 is worth it.

Earlier in the evening lively local favourites Brother Goose and Howland completed an impressive triple-bill.

This was a terrific evening which gives anyone going to Reading or Leeds this month another reminder of one band not to miss.

Little Comets are big stars.

The band play The Festival Republic Stage at Reading Festival on Sunday, August 30.

Richard Derbyshire