Anyway, there's no denying the Gregson is laying on a proper spread of events over the coming week.

On Friday, The New Rope String Band mix brilliant musicianship with winning comedy for a recipe that's been delighting festival
audiences across the nation.

The NRSB play a big assortment of things and all sorts of hoedown pan-celtic old-timey up-beat down-home music.

All this is combined with bizarre physical nonsense and clowning about.
The band have a growing reputation for boundless energy, exuberant spectacles and beautiful music executed with kindness. Tickets from the Gregson bar £10/£8, 8pm.

(Booking is essential – the show was selling fast at the time of going to print: 01524 849959.)

Saturday night sees Angie Palmer and The Revelators perform upstairs at the Gregson's Olive Bar.

Angie has long been a fixture on Lancaster's music scene, but has been rather quiet of late.

This week she re-appears with a full band featuring Billy Buckley on guitars and Richard Curran on Violin/ Mandolin. BBC's whispering Bob Harris is a fan and declared Palmer as "One of Britain's greatest
Singer-Songwriters...".

The show starts at 8.30pm and tickets are £7-£8.

Meanwhile, downstairs that very same night, intensive Caledonian singer-songwriter Alistair McKee performs in the hall again after last year's sell-out performance.

There'll be another evening of satirical, surreal and stupid songs as the musical comedian launches his new CD. The Gregson continues their stranglehold on the week on Monday with the continuing Open Mic Night with the usual host of great local talent getting up on stage. It's free as usual and the fun starts at 8.30pm.

Seguing neatly back to Sunday, The Guilty Pleasures, Article 48, Modern Day Cliche, Jameio and A Day In The Life play a gig for all ages from 2pm.

An evening show starts at 7pm and features The Guilty Pleasures, She Never Sleeps, Not Yet Certain and Idol Minds.