It's Independence Day on Sunday so Johnny and the Poorboys are adding Americana to their Celtic rock and roll.

The Keighley band can be seen at 1.30pm in the Halifax Irish Festival at the town's Piece Hall. Admission £3 for the all-day event.

Johnny's boys also play the Rat and Parrot, Harrogate (July 8), Snooty Fox, Oakworth, (9), and Three Horses, Fell Lane, Keighley, on July 22.

They return to the Annual Village Pump Festival in Trowbridge on July 24 to headline the second stage.

Also on the bill will be Richard Thompson from Fairport Convention, the Levellers, Creedance Clearwater Revival and Eliza Carthy.

n Keighley band Exoterik joins Prototypes and First Time in supporting Confuzin Jack at Joseph's Well in Leeds on Thursday.

Doors open at 8pm, Exoteric will be the third band onstage, and tickets cost £4 from the website www.exoterik.co.uk.

Exoteric headline at CJs, Kirkstall Lites, Leeds, the following day, with doors opening at 8.30pm.

The band supports Laika Dog and Wet Paint at Victoria Hall, Keighley, on July 24, with tickets on sale at Bargain Booze in Cavendish Street or by phoning 07950 322142.

Exoteric, which plays Goth, rock, metal and mosh music, recently came third in a Battle of the Bands final at the Walkabout in Bradford.

n An in-depth interview with Fairport Convention is the centrepiece of the summer issue of Yorkshire folk magazine Tyke's News.

Simon Nichol talks to the veteran folk-rockers about their uncertain future, new albums and the Cropredy Festival.

The magazine, published in Keighley, features club and artist news, live and album reviews, letters, and concert and club listings.

There is a preview of summer folk festivals ranging from Cleckheaton and Whitby to Cleethorpes, Cambridge and Chester.

Reviews include the re-release of The Transports, a classic 1977 recording led by the late folk legend Peter Bellamy, and its live launch in Keighley last March.

Tykes' News is available for £1 from folk clubs, or for £5.25 for four issues, from 408 Skipton Road, Utley, Keighley, BD20 6HP.

n The Bryan Adams Experience can be witnessed in Saltaire this month in the latest tribute show from Keighley promoter Trevor Wilson.

The Middlesbrough band has played extensively in the UK and abroad over the past four years.

Trevor says frontman Stuart has the look and sound of Bryan Adams and the band reproduces his hits with great authenticity.

See the "amazing recreation" at Victoria Hall on July 17. Book £10 and £12 tickets by phoning 01274 327305 or 01535 656015, or visit Helen Kemp's shop in Saltaire.

n Hush plays its indie and pop-rock covers at the Snooty Fox, Oakworth, tomorrow.

n Performing tonight at the Bacca Pipes Folk Club is Ron Trueman Border, from 8.30pm at Keighley Ukrainian Club, 9 Henry Street.

n Members of a new Keighley rock band are joining fellow Oakbank School students to perform at their end-of-year show.

Backsplash, who have been together for about two months, consist of bass player Jason Welton, drummer Sam Denby and guitarist Jesse Howie.

The 15-year-olds currently play cover versions by the likes of Muse and Coldplay but plan to write original songs.

Following the show they will recruit a lead singer and look for other gig venues.