AFTER receiving demo CDs from as far away as Scotland and Bristol from bands eager to play the Rochdale Observer’s Christmas fund-raising gig , we recruited a pair of big new music fans to select the top five bands to play.

DJs Michelle Hussey and Natalie Eve-Williams, who present the ‘Manchester Music Show’ on BBC Radio Manchester, took time out to give the New Roch Revolution CDs a spin over at the studios.

Explaining that, as the music scene continues to evolve the standard of demo CDs submitted to the studios is extremely high, they wanted to select the bands with the most talent and originality to play live at our Xmas Unsigned at Twist in Drake Street.

The gig in aid of Springhill Hospice will be taking place on Saturday 20 December. Doors open at 7.30pm and entry is £3 before 10pm or with a ticket from Rochdale AFC’s indie night.

Happy Mondays and Inspiral Carpets tour DJ Dave Sweetmore will also be playing the best indie tunes throughout the night.

Opening the show will be Middleton-based band Shadow Riots, who have impressed the radio DJs with their dark vocals and intriguing sound.

Michelle said: "There’s a mature female vocal, which is something really different and commands attention – people would definitely stop to listen.

"I would happily go to watch Shadow Riots just to see what they could do live.

"The tracks that we listened to ‘Call It What You Want’ and ‘Synthia’ were both very different so it shows that the band is versatile.

"They’ve got that balance where you can imagine they could be a lot heavier, but the lead singer stops it becoming too intense."

Natalie added: "Shadow Riots definitely have the intrigue factor and ‘Synthia’ gets you straight away.

"The vocals are quite subdued compared to the music and I’d really like to know what they’re like live. I’d love to hear her voice on a dance electronic background – they’re great at doing ambient stuff."

King Pest were picked to play the gig to turn up the fun factor.

Michelle said: "This band have done something completely individual and it’s pop, which is good because no-one really does pop on the live scene.

"I feel like King Pest would put on a good performance that was refreshing."

Natalie said: "This band would be fun to watch and put you in a good mood, my foot was tapping along to their tracks and that’s always a good sign.

"They’re keeping it simple, they’ve put good basic melodies together that work. It’s like there’s loads going on in their songs without smothering their sound."

Representing strong Manchester roots, No Tokyo secured their place in the final line-up.

Michelle said: "I’ve always really liked No Tokyo, they sound very similar to the Stone Roses and create a good atmosphere on stage. You get completely lost in the music when you’re watching them play.

"The reason I love this band so much is that they remind me of being young and going to see all the early Manchester bands. I would feel at home in any live venue with this band."

Natalie added: "They’re just very Manchester."

And after already impressing XFM DJ Clint Boon back in August, scooping up the opening slot at the first New Roch Revolution, the Brightsparks will be returning to Twist to win over the festive audience.

Natalie said: "I can hear sounds of Puressence and Joy Division coming through in their songs. The thing I liked is that I didn’t know what to expect from the intro of ‘Too Many Mistakes Make You Fake’ and I wanted to carry on listening to find out.

"I really like them, it’s good to hear local accents in singers and these tunes are very radio friendly."

Michelle added: "The thing I liked about their songs is that the vocals are very modern, but they show classic songwriting."

Headlining the big Christmas bash will be Dale supporters, The Shameless.

Natalie said: "The lead singer sounds just like Ozzy from Black Sabbath – I can’t believe it!

"It’s impressive that the guys in the band are so young and sound that good!"