MY VITRIOL; THIRTEEN:13; MO-HO-BISH-O-PI

at Manchester Roadhouse

TODAY'S music market is all about quality product.

My Vitriol, who are the headliners on this little trek around the country, have the finished article -- from the swirling lights and feedback of the intro to the MTV-friendly sound of Cemented Shoes.

The crowd were right behind them. They even inspired the odd bout of crowd surfing. But there is something about them that leaves you cold. They have all the ingredients yet no real spark.

Thirteen:13, on the other hand, certainly have that spark. They also have the talent. However, they seem to be walking down a well-travelled road. We already have Muse, Idlewild and Placebo. Do we need an amalgamation of the three? Given time, they have the potential to develop their own sound.

Mo-ho-bish-o-pi are a completely different prospect. From their first song, Smoke Yourself Thin, they had the audience on side. Then they almost seemed to try to baffle and confuse them with strange stop/start, off-the-wall songs. By the time they reached set closer Hear the Air, they were almost on their own -- and they didn't care. They were having a brilliant time, even if most of the crowd didn't realise they were watching the most original act since The Beta Band.

After all, this is rock and roll, not business.

MARK ASQUITH