Robbie Dale looks at what York's music scene has to offer students.

SO HERE we are, the end of term. It may be darker and colder than it was in Freshers' Week some ten or so weeks ago, but hopefully the fancy Christmas lights and promise of a home-cooked meal will perk you up a bit.

Anyway, if you're still in York, desperately trying to write 4,000 words about Marxist Feminism, or just earning a little extra holiday cash, you may well herald the news of what there is to do this week with some relief.

Now, it is generally considered that the prowess of an entertainment premises is directly proportional to the relative fame of the acts appearing there. While this draws in punters and gives the masses something they can hum along to, the quality of what's going on isn't always top notch.

York, however, has plenty of opportunities to explore live acts throughout the city, and at a fraction of the price of larger cities, the hit and miss ratio is a lot easier to stomach.

For starters, it's worth looking at the students around you. Everyone with fingers and a tongue think they've got what it takes to be the next 'big thing' and York University offers a variety of open mic nights, acoustic nights and, next term, even a Battle of the Bands contest.

Fibbers, however, is first stop for live music in York and this weekend there's certainly something worth heading down for. Sack Trick specialise in the slightly odd, so if you like the sound of a band that has a song called No Tomatoes For Me, Thanks (and you know you do) get yourself along this Saturday. If that weren't enough, York University Battle of the Bands winners Pillowtalk are supporting! Good stuff indeed.

But not only Fibbers can cut it musically. Any number of bars and pubs from The Northern Wall to The Roman Bath are running live music nights in a variety of styles. Keep your eyes peeled and make your next 'quiet' pint a slightly more entertaining one.

Updated: 14:47 Thursday, December 18, 2003