Robbie Dale returns to the student bands trying to rock the university.

THERE is something sad about a lifestyle that allows for such depravity as I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! but that's what I'm stuck with.

Despite quality programming on other channels and the lure of literature on my shelves, I have this week been sidelined by Lord Brocket's pocket-rocket and even been searching KaZaa for Peter Andre's rarer album tracks. Luckily, help is at hand. York students are showing that live music is not dead.

Two weeks ago, I previewed the York University Battle Of The Bands 2004. Well, the starter in this student-fuelled musical war has been served up.

Last week 25 bands took to the stage to show off their talents and, such is the nature of competition, 15 have already fallen by the wayside, their dreams destroyed (fairly so in many cases).

In the coming week, the remaining ten will have to up their game in each of the semi-finals.

On Monday and Tuesday night, battle will recommence and each act will be hoping they have what it takes to wow the audience and judges for a second time.

The end of next week sees the final - the zenith of student music as we know it. Well, at least in February in Heslington anyway.

With studio time on offer for the winner and the adoration of some blonde girl in the front row for the lead singer, the stakes are high and the gig promises to be bigger, better and above all higher quality than any year before.

Good luck to all the bands involved this year. I only hope someone got me a ticket.

Updated: 16:38 Thursday, February 05, 2004