SIXTY 6 lived up to their status as tipsters' joint favourites for the Fibbers/Evening Press Battle of the Bands by winning the seventh heat of round one this week. Thin Air came second; Fado Rock and Audiogasm took part too.

In heat eight on Tuesday at Fibbers, in Stonebow, York, Her Theory clash with Trickledown, FD69 and Lights Out On The Street. Kick off is at 7.30pm and admission is £3.

On Sunday, Irish singer Eleanor McEvoy introduces Early Hours, her new album on the Market Square label. McEvoy is forever associated with the best-selling Irish album of all time, A Woman's Heart, but as Fibbers boss Tim Hornsby notes, there is more to her than that celebrated record.

"McEvoy is mischievously infectious and attractively honest," he says. "Her mellow, melancholy world, painted with that rounded Wexford drawl, is beautifully atmospheric and perhaps best to file under 'after midnight only'. Country, Celtic, and cosmic bar-room styles mix distinctive vocals and articulate lyrics to prove she is one of Ireland's finest singer/songwriters."

On Wednesday, Watford mop-tops Mohair mix pile-driving Hammond organ, celestially cacophonic guitar and vocals as tight as their shirts. Newly signed to M1 Records, the four-piece will release their debut double A side, Brown Eyes Blue and Something To Remember, on April 19.

Updated: 08:48 Friday, March 19, 2004