NEVER mind Red Nose Day, Stourbridge's very own Festivals Experience created some comic relief of their own with a top class performance at the Rock Cafe 2000.

A sparse crowd doubtlessly thinned out by the nationwide fundraising fever were treated to two hours of classic festival anthems old and new on Friday March 16.

Kicking off with Oasis' Supersonic, the four-piece hammered their way through a who's who of indie and rock giants - with not a little humour thrown in for good measure.

Frontman Tony Short made light of the below-par turnout by alighting from the stage to chat with fans and introduce tracks one-to-one mid-set, raising plenty of chuckles into the bargain.

All the favourites were here - Franz Ferdinand, Snow Patrol (queue lighters!), The Killers, Stone Roses, Manics... the list goes on and on.

Highlights included a note-perfect, high-octane take on the Chilli Peppers' Give It Away and a cover of The Kaiser Chiefs' I Predict A Riot bristling with energy and passion.

The obligatory closers from The Happy Mondays and Oasis brought proceeding to an end and if that wasn't entertainment value for six quid I don't know what is.

TFE will no doubt return to their home town later in the year watch this space!

Pete Wallace