STAND by for a big night of new music this weekend when Mi7 hosts four of the most exciting up and coming acts on the south coast.

Southampton favourites The Dead Freights and James Baxter, who have both recently signed to the West London record label, are two of the acts playing The Brook on Portswood Road on Friday.

They are joined by The Collision, who are no strangers to selling out venues like The Joiners, and local songwriter Jack Francis, who has just returned from touring in Ireland.

The Dead Freights are joint lead singers and guitarists Charlie James, Robert Franklin, bassist Robby Spencer and drummer Louis Duartes and say they’re inspired by the vibrant, lyrical rock and roll of the Beatles as well as David Bowie and The Libertines.

Together with producer John Barrett, the band will soon follow in the footsteps of their heroes by recording their debut EP at Abbey Road studios in the same room where the Liverpool band created their White album.

This summer they will play at both CarFest North and CarFest South, alongside acts like Richard Ashcroft and Razorlight.

Songwriter James Baxter will bring a sound fuelled from travelling across the United States in his early twenties, spending time in studios from Albuquerque to Los Angeles and taking inspiration from the deserts and wilderness of the Mid West and West Coast.

After returning home, James blended these influences with those from idols like Paul McCartney, James Taylor, Paul Simon and Nick Drake. Now the Southampton songwriter will present the technicolour melody and incessant lyricism of his debut album in waiting before more touring in August.

Mi7 records are based in West London, but say they are amazed at the amount of talent in Southampton and the real sense of risk taking and individualism from so many of the bands in the city.

Another one of their acts, Trampolene, are from Swansea, but they also have close ties to the south coast as lead singer Jack Jones’ grandmother lives in Woolston.

Their new 28-track compilation record, Pick A Pocket Or Two is out September 7.

Tickets £7 adv, £10 on door. More at: the-brook.com.

Richard Derbyshire