NOT so long ago, music fans would have scoffed at the idea of Nick Heyward playing at Manchester Roadhouse.

The Roadhouse is renowned as a venue where up and coming bands can put themselves in the limelight and boost their reputation.

So what on earth is Nick Heyward, former frontman of early 80s popsters Haircut 100, doing there on Sunday, February 22?

Well times change, and 1998 sees Heyward having acquired some major street cred by becoming a labelmate of Oasis over at Creation.

The trademark woolly sweaters and bubblegum pop have given way to a more mature, indie feel as Heyward attempts to pull off the biggest comeback since John Travolta.

His tour, which also features a date at Liverpool Lomax on Friday, February 20, is to promote his new album 'The Apple Bed', which was released this week. A single, 'Stars In Her Eyes', follows on March 2.

Heyward's appearance at the Roadhouse is part of what has been a top line-up at the venue this month.

Top indie bands Marion and Urusei Yatsura rocked the place a couple of weeks back, while last week Mogwai, A, The Unbelievable Truth and Six By Seven all visited the Roadhouse.

Indie fans will be interested to know that The Unbelievable Truth are led by the younger brother of Radiohead's Thom Yorke.

That's a mighty tough standard to measure up to, but the band are already building a solid fan base and seem set for plenty of success.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.