LIVE REVIEW >>>

Back to rock the capital for the third year running, Carling Live 24 promised an incredible start to the Bank Holiday Weekend with 19 bands playing back-to-back live music across 8 venues all in 24 hours. Kicking things off were Kaiser Chiefs who took Carling Academy Brixton in their stride, turning in an energy-fuelled show with Ricky Wilson making sure he covered every square inch of the huge stage, even disappearing into the crowd to return with a girl of his choice to serenade during the indie-rock heart-string puller You Can Have It All. With I Predict A Riot and Oh My God turning the venue into the terraces as the crowd sang along word for word, it was amazing to think that this was a relatively small gig for the band who only a year ago played the midday slot at last year's event.

Next up was a quick sprint over the river to Islington for Mancunian legend Ian Brown who laid down infectious beats while making sure the packed crowd got locked into the groove. Never known for delivering things note-perfect his attempt at Bob Marley's Redemption Song nearly slid off the scale but his inspired set soon had the crowd reaching fever pitch as the opening chords to the classic I Am The Resurrection chimed through the PA. Hurtling across to the salubrious surroundings of Kings Cross and Canvas, we arrived just in time to see the Welsh rap supremos holler their way through the 'Your Missus Is A Nutter and before crowd fav Your Mothers Got A P***s got the packed out main jumping. The Cuban Brothers followed with their tongue-in-cheek show of break-dancing, funk and near-nakedness which worked perfectly to keep everyone's eyes on the stage and away from any time-keeping devices.

Stopping off to recharge the batteries with a slap-up brekkie at Camden's Proud Gallery, it was only a few steps across the road to the intimate surroundings of the Barfly and even at 8am the place was packed with expectant fans some of whom had travelled for hours to get to London in time to see Larrikin Love who took the early morning slot to heart by appearing in their pyjamas. While Carl Barat's Dirty Pretty Things tried their best to wake up the sleepy-eyed crowd at midday at Carling Academy Islington we took on a trip down the Thames with east London's Boy Kill Boy at the helm who tore through electric versions of their stunning singles Suzie and Back Again.

Off the boat and it was a scenic route in a cab trying to avoid the imminent title-winning celebrations in Chelsea to catch The Ordinary Boys run through their mod-tinged rock at Hammersmith Palais with the superb On/Offs in support. So it was on to the final leg of the music marathon and the finishing line was in sight for those who had braved the whole 24 hours. With a highly anticipated new album on the horizon this gig was an exclusive chance for fans to hear new material from Razorlight and from what we heard tonight this is a band about to step up to a whole new level. Lost In America, In The Morning and Can't Stop This Feeling are arguably the strongest tracks Johnny Borrell's written to date and the reaction in the Empire was nothing short of phenomenal.

Carling Live 24 - What an incredible way to kick off the summer season by getting together with your mates and giving 24 hours of your life to live music...now it's off to bed for a truly deserved sleep!

Words - Bruce Hay
Images - James McCauley