After a stunning live set at The Savoy in Cork last night, Waterford's Gorbachov were crowned 2008 winners of the Murphy's Live music award, following the success of Ilya K in the same competition last year. As we've said before....Waterford rocks !

The lads are headlining a celebratory gig at Electric Avenue this Friday 23 May with support from Derry's finest hard rockers Fighting With Wire and the always brilliant Deaf Animal Orchestra. The Friday Club's Rob Carey will be playing all that's cool, new and alternative before and after the live action. Admission is free before 9pm and €10 after.

Oft described as reckless, irresponsible and brilliant, Gorbachov are a five-piece guitar rock outfit from Waterford. The band have been together for four years, performing across Ireland and the UK, supporting bands such as The Frames and The Blizzards. They have spent the last year in Liverpool putting their debut album together, following on from the acclaim that has greeted their increasingly catchy singles, including "Mr. Fahrenheit" which has been featured extensively on XFM in the UK and "Go On My Son" which is included on the CD given away with this month's Hot Press magazine. Gorbachov have been described as a cross between Queens Of The Stone Age and Talking Heads and are buzzing about winning the Murphy's Live.

"Man Vs Monster" the debut album from Derry trio Fighting With Wire is 45 minutes of razor sharp riffs colliding full force with huge melodies. Recommended for fans of Jimmy Eat World, Foo Fighters, Husker Du and Biffy Clyro the band emerged from the ever creative Northern Ireland music scene in 2003. An idealistic bunch, they've since done what rock bands are meant to do: they wrote a bunch of killer songs, and took to the road. The last three years has seen them play shows with the likes of Reuben, Biffy Clyro, Million Dead, Seafood, YCNI:M and Future Of The Left, racking up hundreds of miles and honing their live show into a ferocious explosion in the process. Hard Rock bible Kerrang said "as debuts go this is an absolute corker, Fighting With Wire sound like they're already headlining stadiums" !

The Deaf Animal Orchestra have been playing together since early '06 and are fast gathering a reputation as one of the country's most promising new acts. Alan Jacques of Limerick's Live 95FM has boldly declared them "the best new band in Ireland!". The band are already on their third record release. Recent single, 'Falling Asleep/Morning Running' is currently doing the business for them and previous single, 'All Together Now/The Madman' received airplay all over the country and received Jackie Hayden of Hotpress' 'Pick of the Fortnight' award (something any Irish band worth their salt should pick up along the way!)

See you down the front.