LAST time Manchester's Akoustik Anarkhy club night visited Preston, they brought along grunge heavyweights Nine Black Alps to play a secret gig. See what happens when the night returns on October 28.

Since its humble beginnings in the front room of a dodgy boozer in Manchester's red light district, Akoustik Anarkhy has flourished into a live music extravaganza, record label and travelling party collective.

The nomadic club night has found a home in a number of odd venues - including kitchens in house parties and the basement of a back street hotel - as well as making visits to Paris and London.

But the trip to Preston in May 2004 remains one of their favourite ever nights.

Promoter Noel Vasquez, who is also lead singer of Loose Canon, said: "We took the Nine Black Alps out on a magical mystery tour bus ride to play a gig at the Adelphi under a pseudonym of Purple Heron.

"Some of America's biggest A&R men flew in from the States especially for that one gig."

While Akoustik Anarkhy is hailed as one of the most fun alternative club nights in the north west, the bands who play there are no mugs - and despite the name, you'll hardly ever see an acoustic act on stage.

As well as the Nine Black Alps, who played first ever show there, bands like The Longcut, The Harrisons and Keith have all cut their teeth playing unconventional Akoustik Anarkhy shows.

Out of the chaos has sprung a respected record label - aA Recordings - which has released nearly 20 records so far.

And it's that night in Preston that also provided the name of their latest compilation album, Beyond Entertainment.

Noel said: "The place was going nuts and everyone was getting well into it. Next thing, a load of hard looking blokes arrived in the venue and it looked like they were going to kick off.

"But the exact opposite happened - they loved the music and started dancing with everyone else.

"As Loose Canon finally finished, one of the hard blokes was heard exclaiming 'That was beyond entertainment that, beyond entertainment.'"

Three of the bands featured on the album are on the bill for the Preston gig - Loose Canon, Autokat and Sam & Me - alongside Akoustik Anarkhy's resident DJs.

It should be a seminal night out.

Akoustik Anarkhy takes place at 53 Degrees in Preston on Friday, October 28. Tickets are £5.

Paul Cockerton