THIS TYPE of tour is a good idea - gather together several of the current most hotly tipped bands, put them on stage, and see how they acquit themselves. It's a lucky bag tour as well, of course, for despite the hype afforded to them by New Musical Express, some bands are bound to have better names than music.

Not so Fluffy, an all girl punk band who have just signed to a major label. Their sound is a basic facsimile of the 1977 punk blueprint, played with little attitude and absolutely no irony. They have the presence of an end of term convent girls' school band giving a two fingered salute to their teachers, and they are quite good in an endearing, quaint way. Very pretty, but far too nice.

It had to happen: Heavy Stereo are Oasis clones down to the haircuts, sunglasses and plagiarism of Beatles' tunes.

Their blatant unoriginality bodeswell for their future commercial success.

Ditto for The Bluetones, who base themselves on The Stone Roses' blend of pulsating, layered guitar effects, but without the same atmosphere or attitude. Ultimately, this band's cocky swagger couldn't hide their lamentable lack of talent. Next!

Highlight of the night came from a band who were neither British nor brattish. But first a question: what is it with Sweden's The Cardigans and Black Sabbath? First, they cover Sabbath Bloody Sabbath on their latest album, Le, and then they open their scintillating short set with another Sabbath classic, Iron Man. This type of puckish musical humour is at the heart of their excellence.

Despite the overall poor sound, The Cardigans played like an artful post modern hotel lounge band, full of surprise and off kilter experimentation, yet utterly together and charming. Miss them not when they return to Ireland later this year.