Ok, so Will Young didn't actually play in Exodus last Saturday, but don't feel lied to we'll explain all that in due course!

Last Saturday was an Extended Play night in the Lisburn Exodus Venue (the LEV...I wonder if that will catch on).  On stage we had The Finger Trap Theory (not finger tap, poor show Exodus publicists), Franklin's Kite and Tom McConnell.

Up first was The Finger Tap Theory (we're gonna go ahead and refer to him as Jonny from here on in) on the Lounge Stage.  Jonny is one part of the Railway Street band Article For who we all know so well.  He got us started with an acoustic set and then we moved things into Freedom.

Taking to the Freedom Stage was Franklin's Kite, or the artists formerly known as 'Walls Need Gates'.  Last time these guys were in the Lounge where our sound system let them down.  No such problems this time!  These guys haven't been going long but alreday they've carved a nice little niche for themselves and have written some good stuff.  'Don't sink the Boat' is a good tune and it's sung in a very manly tone as well, appreciated by this writer.

In contrast to a steady marching tune like that, there's the pacier 'Get Back Up', showing the range these boys have.  We also saw the harmonica out again, very Antrim that.  Highlight of their set though was the creative masterpiece that I will entitle 'Ode to Jaffa'.  Any band that can sing about Jaffa Cakes and get away with it deserves proper credit!

Headlining the night we had Tom McConnell, completing the set for ex Wednesday Adams members going solo in Exodus.  Tom's a talent.  Word on the street is that he'll be entering unsigned this year as well, which is exciting for anyone planning to watch the competition.  Highlights of the set include a take on 'Cry Me a River', an inetersting moment in American Boy when he had a bit of 'owww owwww' goin' on, brave man to go for that, and a great rendition of Use Somebody, delayed slightly by a mental block on the first line. 

It was a great set, he's a prodigous talent and it's here that the Will Young coment comes in.  In what I hope will be taken as a complimentary note, the guy sounds like Will Young when he sings.  Honestly, I asked someone else who agreed, and that can't be bad thing when you look at what the Pop Idol has achieved in his career.  So watch this space to see what Tom has in store.

This Saturday is the big, much anticipated Birthday Bash.  We turn 1 down in Lisburn!  We know you were gutted we closed Saturday past but we're back guys so Exodus Saturday Night, we'll see you there.