THE Travelling Band, who recorded their live album Arrears Not Careers at the Grand Theatre six years ago, return to the Clitheroe venue next week for a one-off show promoting this summer’s music and arts festival, Cloudspotting.

“We love the Grand, and that album became a cult record with our fans,” said Jo Dudderidge, The Travelling Band’s vocalist, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist.

“It was a very special gig and Arrears Not Careers captured, I think, a moment in time, the vibe of our sound from that era.

“Cloudspotting is such a wonderful festival too, and last year, when we played there in that beautiful forest, was one of our most memorable gigs.”

As befitting the band’s name, Jo is on the road when I speak to him, en route to play at a private party for one of the group’s biggest followers in Leicestershire.

Last year, though, saw them bring a further personal touch to their touring adventure and for the fans who had pledged funds to make their album, the anthemic indie-rock sound of The Big Defreeze a success.

Championed by Radio Six DJ Mark Radcliffe, they fill their shows with energy and verve while The Travelling Band’s tour T-shirt proudly proclaims: ‘You can steal our vans, but you can’t steal our fans.’

Jo added: “We played little gigs in people’s front rooms, and it was such a fun thing to do.

“We turned up at a house in Manchester and they’d set up a little stage in the front room and somehow 70 people managed to squeeze in for the show.

“People enjoyed a beer or a cup of tea and we raised the roof with our songs.

“It was a fantastic thing to do: you turn up, play a few tunes, have a few drinks and make some special friends.

“Doing those sort of tiny shows makes you really appreciate why you do what you do.”

Since that show at the Grand, the Manchester quintet have grown a strong fan base and developed a more rocky sound from their quieter acoustic-led beginnings.

“We’ve definitely evolved as recording artists over the years,” added Jo.

“When we first got together, we were just a bunch of troubadours trying to find their feet.

“From playing so much on the road, we’ve gained a really good understanding together and it has just evolved naturally.”

With their fourth album in production at the band’s studio – Pinhole Studios in Manchester – the first of those new songs will be aired at next week’s show.

“Having our own place to record gives us a real sense of autonomy, and that’s a very special thing to have in today’s musical environment.”

Canadian artist A. Dyjecinski has released his new album on the band’s own label, Sideways Saloon Records, and will provide one of the support acts at the Grand.

Jo added: “It is a haunting and beautiful soundtrack of a man searching for what it means to be on his own, out in the wilderness.”

The Travelling Band supported by The Ragamuffins and A Dyjecinski, Clitheroe Grand Theatre. Friday, May 20. Details from 01200 421599. The Cloudspotting Festival runs from 29-31 July at Stephen Park in the Gisburn Forest, details from www.cloudspotting-festival.co.uk