When you're a wild Celtic rock band there's one time of the year when you can't have a night off.

But it's not only this weekend's St Patrick's celebrations that keep Keighley's favourite band Johnny and the Poorboys busy.

As they enter their third year the boys find themselves playing more and more regularly, and further and further afield.

From packed-out gigs at local venues like St Anne's and the Snooty Fox they are progressing to festivals in front of more than 10,000 people.

Already confirmed is the prestigious Village Pump Festival - up to 15,000 folk fans in a field - and the annual free jamboree in Bingley's Myrtle Park.

And they have bookings for at least two biker festivals including the Sewer Rats' annual outdoor bash in Silsden.

Quite a step up from St Patrick's gigs tonight at Oakworth's Snooty Fox and tomorrow at Keighley Rugby Union Club in Utley.

The Rev Johnny Friendly - alias Keighley music veteran John Gow - is waiting to hear confirmations from organisers of several other folk festivals.

And there could even be a booking from America if someone will pay the air fares and the seven Poorboys can get time off their day jobs.

"Word of the band is spreading fast," says Johnny. "Once our CD came out and the website was up and running, we had people getting in touch."

"The CD has got us some big gigs. There aren't many bands doing what we do. I'm hoping the Village Pump Festival will get us a few bigger contacts."

The Poorboys sound has developed over the past two years from its original predominance of Saw Doctors and Pogues covers.

Johnny adds: "We started off with traditional stuff with a rock 'n' roll element. Now it's a cross between Irish with a bit of alternative country thrown in. It's Irish folk with a real helping of attitude. The songs we're writing on our own stand up to the older stuff.

"We're appealing to a massive range of people. We're a brilliant live band - we're getting sold out wherever we play."

Yet wherever the festivals take the Poorboys, Johnny promises the band will still play its regular Keighley haunts.

They also plan to return to Victoria Hall this October to reprise last year's sell-out gig for the Sarah McKie breast cancer appeal.

Fans should simply turn up for the Snooty Fox gig, and phone 01274 566504 to book for the rugby club. Johnny can be contacted on 07876 216660

You don't get into Alias without a pseudonym. Not when your founder is called Tony "Just Call Me Mister" Salter.

Rob "Pretty Boy" Denton got in. Dave "Handsome" Bennett made it. So did Stuart "Double Take" Learmonth. No problems for Simon "Telephone" Booth.

Eight rehearsals later they were ready for the public, and according to Mister Salter their first gig at the King's Head "went down a storm".

He says their fans include Mick Jagger, Rachel "S Club 7" Stevens, Britney Spears, Ringo Starr and Kylie Minogue. In his press release Mister even prints the celebs' quotes, but most of them are too rude to repeat here.

The guys are back - with a few original songs for good measure - tonight at the New Inn on Halifax Road at Bocking, and May 11 at the King's Head.

You don't need a pseudonym to get in, but it might help!

The Big Bang play the Dalesway pub in Cross Hills tomorrow evening - and the 60s covers may not be as hard-edged as normal!

"As the next day is St Patrick's Day and Stan's birthday, there will be plenty of Guinness swilling/partying going on," explains guitarist Stan.

"Just hope the band remain sober enough to stand up and play!"

Popular local group The Waltons are tonight's performers at Churchill's club in North Street. Next Friday is a Freddie Mercury tribute show with support from singer Alannah Graeme. Tickets cost £5. Phone 01535 602959.

From Barnsley to Keighley comes singer-songwriter Sharon Fountain tonight, for a gig at the Bacca Pipes Folk Club.

Sharon performs at the club's venue in St Anne's Catholic Social Club, off North Street, after 8.30pm.

Sharon will be seen at folk festivals this spring and summer including those in Whitby and Cleckheaton.

Keighley theatre company Spot On! will fold after the curtain falls on this week's production of the thriller Night Must Fall. The Utley-based amateur group is closing down because its two founders are heading for pastures new.

Emma Bowskill begins an acting course next month and Laura Kane hopes to land a backstage job in London's West End later this year.

Night Must Fall runs tonight and tomorrow at 7.30pm in Skipton Little Theatre. Book on 01535 603327.