Local talent rocks!

The last notes are swept away as applause drums off the walls, the band thank the crowd and bounce off backstage amid cheers and cat calls. But this isn't any stadium rock concert; this is your local music pub most nights of the week.

An increasing number of pubs are opening their doors to local music acts, providing a cheap way for music junkies to get their fix as well as being a fantastic showcase for these up-and-coming bands.

Once the realm of rock bands trying to make it big, recently music nights have become much more diverse with hip-hop acts, drum'n'bass artists and DJ's taking to the stage, which means there's a night out there to suit or even expand every music taste.

Gig nights give you a chance to be exposed to a genre or sound you've never heard before. You just might like what you hear!

For those groups of friends with differing music tastes, music nights can help bridge the gap as some pubs put on mixed genre nights preventing the need for compromise and argument.

And there's always the niche fusion bands whose combination of styles has wide appeal.

An increasing number of pubs are opening their doors to local music acts, providing a cheap way for music junkies to get their fix

Kirsty Birkett-Stubbs

One of the biggest plus points of music nights is the atmosphere.

There's nothing quite like a pub gig - the room layered with sound, being close enough to touch every instrument, every person. It's an intimacy that's too easily lost in a larger venue.

The beauty of such events is the price. Often the charge on the door is around the three to four pound mark and when you consider there are usually several acts performing, it's a small price to pay.

With sets coming in at about 30 minutes if a particular band doesn't grab you, there's not long to wait till the next who just might blow you away.

And of course you could be watching the next big thing.

Pretty much every major band started off gigging in their local area, building up exposure and creating a fanbase, so there's every chance that band you watch tonight could be gracing the music charts in the coming months!

Hear something new - Go Local!