TROMBONES, trumpets, saxophones, flutes, chimes, cellos and euphoniums - Fibbers enjoyed a real musical education last night as part of a stupendous psychedelic experience.

Sure enough, The Earlies were slightly late.

Just after 10pm the trans-Atlantic eleven-piece hit the stage like a mini army descending on a helpless enemy, fed relentlessly on chart drivel.

How the talented troupe of musicians managed to squeeze themselves into the shoebox-style Fibbers dressing room remains a mystery.

But what's crystal clear is that The Earlies, with their acclaimed debut 'These Were The Earlies', are one of the best bands to emerge this year.

Part Texan, part Mancuniun, at least they prove that when America and Britain get together they can produce something productive.

Echoing Americana greats like Mercury Rev and Granddaddy, they take the simplistic verse-chorus-verse formula a quantum leap forward, before shrouding it in an atmospheric eerie haze of three-way harmonies and multi-layered beauty that would make Brian Wilson leave his sandpit with his tail between his legs and blush.

If Phil Spector had been hanging around York, and not facing serious criminal charges over in LA, you can bet your bottom dollar he would have approved of this unique take on his fabled Wall of Sound.

Highlights of a consistently excellent one-hour set, included the trance-like splendour of One Of Us Is Dead, strangely uplifting despite its morbid undertones, and the luminous sunshine that lifted Wayward Song high into the heavens.

Updated: 11:11 Monday, October 25, 2004