THE New Musical Express newspaper's annual jaunt around Britain brings some serious entertainment to Cardiff next year.

After a break, which took the Black Rebel Motorscycle Club to Bristol, the NME awards tour is back in Wales on February 8, for the penultimate date of the tour.

The concert, part of a series to showcase the paper's idea of the best new bands, features The Datsuns, (pictured) The Polyphonic Spree, Interpol and The Thrills.

The band named after the naff old car are a group of four polo neck jumper wearing rock enthusiasts who are making a few quid out of their favourite AC/DC records.

Long a source of globe-trotting cover bands, New Zealand's latest take the cover-syndrome to new levels of deviousness with a slick jive-bunny like mix of famous riffs and choruses.

The Polyphonic Spree are more original visually, the band being mainly a 21+ piece choir decked out in white robes, but the music is pure Beatles parody. Seek thee Popol Vuh for true, glorious polyphonic orchestral rock and leave these shameless, though fashionable, hacks in California.

Interpol are a band from New York, a harder version of The Strokes perhaps, who are influenced by The Smiths and other 80s alt-rock/pop.

The Thrills, similarly, are influenced by Morrissey who they supported in the Royal Albert Hall as their first UK gig.

The NME awards tour 2003 calls on Cardiff University on Saturday February 8. Tickets are £13.50, on sale now. Dial 0870 1663663 or 0870 1663663 for sales. More information can be found at www.nme.com