The Twang call time on beer louts

Indie rock band The Twang were forced to stop playing at Birmingham's new O2 Academy last night after the crowd threw plastic glasses of beer on to the stage.

Twang fan Jon Woodward, 29, described last night's crowd as "lairy" with the band having to stop their set after a few minutes.

He said: "The beer was flying long before the band came on - people were drenched."

Lead singer Phil Etheridge was forced to plead with the crowd to calm down before continuing with the band's set.

Mr Woodward, of Coton Road, Wolverhampton, said: "He had to stop and then he had a bit of a go at the crowd. It quietened down bit after that."

The group was the latest to perform as part of a special programme featuring local artists to mark the venue's launch.

From Quinton, The Twang got together in 2001 and won national acclaim when they were featured in the NME.

Their debut single Wide Awake, produced at The Magic Garden Studio in Wolverhampton along with their debut album, Love It When I Feel Like This, was released the same year.

Their second album Jewellery Quarter came out last month.

The band members are also true to their roots when it comes to football - lead singer Phil Etheridge is an Aston Villa supporter, Martin Saunders is a Birmingham City fan while the rest are Baggies fans.

The Streets will perform tonight and tomorrow night sees the return of 1980s favourites Ocean Colour Scene.