The crowd had gathered to form a gigantic queue winding around Anfield football ground, in defiance of the biting, icy rain. The concert had been organised to raise money for families who lost relatives in the infamous Hillsborough disaster. It is an issue which stirs strong feelings in many, and the good nature of every band that turned up was admirable. As we entered the ground the rain spluttered, gave us one last soaking then stopped. This was much to the delight of John Peel who managed to stay dry when he came on to anounce the first band: somewhere amidst the nostalgic banter about Liverpool football club he anounced The Bootleg Beatles. Enter the assembled group of Americans and Brits, attired in authentic Beatles gear from the 70's which still did not conceal the middle age paunch of "John Lennon". "George Harrison", although packing all the formidable guitar skills could not have resembled less the original. The Bootlegs picked a strange set, with only a few of the sure fire crowd pleasers involved. "Get Back" and "Back In The USSR" being the highpoints of an unremarkable, if welcome performance after standing in the rain for two hours.

Next came the band who have caused quite a stir of late, since signing for Richard Bransons new V2 label: Stereophonics. The comparisons with the Manics - three members, passionate lead playing vocalist, same energetic soulful rock - were obvious. Kelly Jones, the band's frontman, built an amusing repertoire with the crowd, including lengthy introductions to each song. He is all a good frontman should be: cool, funny, and possesing a powerful, voice. "Too Many Sandwiches" was the Stereophonics' first song, followed by the jangly Britpop of "More Life In A Tramp's Vest". The sun was beginning to come out, and "Local Boy In The Photopgraph" was a superb song, to finish a superb set.

Next came Smaller boasting lead singer Digsy of "Digsy's Diner" fame (he would NOT thank me for mentioning that). Smaller will remain on the fringe if they continue to think that they don't have to try to appeal to all of us. They peddle tunes of gritty, hard nosed life on the dole - Cast with a bad hangover. Songs include "In My Liveable Hole", "Giz A Life" and the enjoyable "Is" and the rocky "Wasted". Digsy has been reading the Rock Star Book of Vocab, but all the 'fucks' in the world can't make Smaller's music better. They certainly weren't awful, just nothing special.

Local heroes Space were next and received a great reception. I am not a fan, but I can appreciate why people enjoy Space's sample assisted guitar pop. "Neighborhood" and the particularly upbeat "Me And You V's The World". Finally Tommy Scott changed the words in the last line to reveal that "Dark clouds drift away to reveal....RAIN!!" And yes, they did.

Dodgy, who were particularly up for this gig being genuinely nice blokes, were on next. They played an acoustic set with no drummer. Instead Mat stood alongside the other two and played his tambourine to his heart's content. Dodgy were the shot in the arm everyone needed, summer songs like "Good Enough", "In A Room" and the latest single "Found You" cut straight through the rain. They were given a standing ovation, which wasn't hard because we were all....standing. But still it no longer matters to me that Dodgy are so light weight.

Next came the band I was most anticipating The Manic Street Preachers. The Manics were on top form, James his usual bouncy animated self, swopped guitars for nearly every other song. Every Manic Street Preachers song is unique, each identifiable after the first few chords and riffs. "Motorcycle Emptines" was superb, as was "Kevin Carter" and it still remains impossible to become desensitised to "A Design For Life".

The Beautiful South were a nice band to 'come down' to after the Manics. They played all the hits, and were obvioulsy well received. "Rotterdam" and "Don't marry her.." are fine to tap one's foot to.

Lightning Seeds finished events with their brand of pop, which borders on the slightly insipid. Ian Broudie's vocals are an aquired taste. However Frank Skinner came on to finish the set with a glorious rendition of "3 Lions" This still captures peoples hearts so long after Euro 96 (ahem - resolutely Scottish ed). It was a stirring moment.

Finally the chairman of the Hillsborough family fund came on to remind us why we were all there. The concert ended with Holly Johnson coming on to sing "Ferry Across The Mersey" then a heart wrenching "You'll Never Walk Alone". People cried as the names of the 96 dead scrolled down one of the big view screens either side of the stage. Every band came out to link arms and join in. It had been a memorable night.

Reviewed by Greg O'Keefe