Brit-pop survivors prove solid local favourites

IT can't be easy being a successful Brit-pop band; just look at the likes of Oasis and Blur. One moment, they were ruling the charts during the height of their popularity in the 1990s, and the next, egos and infighting led to their breakup in the new millennium.

So it becomes almost a feat for a band like Travis to still be around after almost 25 years together - without a single change in their line-up, at that. The secret to the Scottish quartet's longevity probably lies in the fact that they still very much enjoy one another's company and playing together as a band.

That bond was evident last Friday evening when they performed at The Star Performing Arts Centre as bassist Dougie Payne shared a light moment with guitarist Andy Dunlop on drummer Neil Primrose's riser while singer-frontman Fran Healy engaged the 2,000-strong crowd with his in-between-songs banter.