The Favours, Fonda 500, Salako, The Paddingtons, Diablo, Windum Earl, The Freaks Union, Sidewinder, The Applewhites, Turismo, Dump Valves, The Landau’s. These are just some of the up-and-coming local bands who could do for Hull what Oasis and Stone Roses did for Manchester.

While big names perform at the new 25,000-capacity KC Stadium, the city’s clubs are a crucible for rock music.

The city’s musical heritage includes Fine Young Cannibals, Everything But the Girl, and The Housemartins, who included Fat Boy Slim and begat The Beautiful South.

Now an explosion of local talent is causing walls to vibrate at clubs such as the Adelphi, the Welly, the Lamp and the £3.5 million Asylum.

Twenty-year-old solo singer/songwriter Emma Rugg is making a name for herself, and so, too, is a freestyle rapper called Reality? “The scene is the healthiest I’ve known it. There are a good few bands that are really close to something special,” says Martin Knight, bass guitarist with The Favours, soon to release their first single. “It’s an exciting time for music in the city.”

While perpetrating everything from heavy metal to high-tech with a large pinch of punk thrown into the mix, the groups appear remarkably mutually supportive.

“Hull’s got loads of young punk bands and metal bands,” says Jimbo Baxter, 26, vocalist with the five-piece The Freaks Union who describe themselves as “punk but a bit more modern”.

“It will just take a couple of us to get signed up, and it could be really big for Hull.”

Paul Jackson, who has promoted live music at the Adelphi for 20 years, takes a more sceptical stance: “It’s one thing to talk the talk, it’s another to walk the walk.” But even he agrees: “There’s a lot of talent in Hull; a lot of guitars are being sold.”

Facing a battle to keep the Adelphi open because of new public entertainments legislation, Jackson says: “Over the years I would say 80 or 90 per cent of composing bands in the region have taken their first steps at the Adelphi. If Hull’s music culture is to survive, the infrastructure needs to be maintained. We have something very special here.”

Asylum, although mainly for students, opens its doors to outsiders 12 times a year. Winner of the 2003 national award for best student venue, the 1,600 capacity club hosts four local bands a time at these events. The student union’s entertainments manager, James Brooks, says: “Hull has a lot of good bands. We’re just trying to do our bit.

“If you want my tip, the next big thing to come out of Hull will be The Favours.”

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