A THOUSAND fans rocked to sun-drenched sounds in cold, wet Lancaster as one of the newest and best bands around hit town, reports Rachel Ryan.

The Thrills left groupies with no tickets loitering outside hoping to grasp one at the last minute but this was one sold-out gig.

For those inside the Sugar House, no one was left dissatisfied it was a rocking, singing, beer bouncing party, even when the sound system messed up.

And lead singer Conor Deasy said it was duly noted.

"We had a really cool time," he admitted at the end of the show, "The crowd stayed with us throughout and to get the encouragement and reaction we got when the sound system messed up twice was amazing - the crowd really pulled us through," he adds.

He was right, the crowd loved them. Even when sound cut out, the decibels remained raised as the audience gave a brief chorus of Sweet Chariot before chanting for the band to come back on stage.

The Thrills delivered a strong show that showcased their musical inventiveness and charisma as performers, surpassing the CD sound of their debut album So Much For The City, which shot to the top of the UK charts.

But it was not just their music that was riding on the crest of a wave, the band went that bit further by jumping into the crowd to do a bit of surfing'.

Back stage, the lads looked tired but, if they performed their previous 300 gigs with the zest and vigour they did in Lancaster, it is no wonder they were zapped.

However, they still had enough energy for a game of table football, a few well-deserved beers and a few jokes; and for being receptive.

Conor got emotional when talking about home, which was only three days away, adding: "We have really enjoyed ourselves but can't wait to get back to Ireland, which is really ironic because our album is about escapism, but it has been a while and I miss it".

As well as performing their USA's west coast influenced hits, such as Big Sur, Santa Cruz, San Diego and Hollywood, the lads threw in new tracks.

They went down a storm, which Conor says they were "delighted" about.

"We must still be doing something right, which is good because when we write songs we don't stop and wander if the audience will like them or not, but follow our instinct and do what we feel comfortable with playing.

"The most important thing is that we enjoy performing our tracks and that that comes across to the crowd", he adds.

The troupe's dedication and love of what they do was clear from the fact they have been working flat out on the tour writing new material for their next album during the day and performing at night.

"We want to make the best of this chance we have been given.

"We have written new songs on the tour which have been influenced by the different things, people and situations we have experienced while travelling instead of trying to make songs parody of our lives," he adds.

Commenting on recent nominations for music awards with the likes of Coldplay, he says was a good feeling.

"It is nice to know people like what you do, but we just took it in our stride. To us a crowd reacting like they did tonight is one big reward in itself and that is what counts," he adds.