HUNDREDS of people turned out to see Pixies frontman Black Francis - formerly Frank Black - play an impromptu gig in Oxford last night.

About 300 people gathered under the Bridge of Sighs to listen to the musician play a series of songs on his acoustic guitar. The gig, which was advertised on Mr Francis's website, was designed to be a taster set before his concert at Oxford Brookes Student Union.

The musician, whose four-piece alternative rock band had a cult following during the late 1980s and early 1990s, said: "I did it, I guess, to join in all the fun on YouTube. I had no idea that so many people would turn out.

"I thought a few people would show up and if I'm lucky a few people will be there so obviously I am quite chuffed."

John Thole, 29, of Banbury, said: "He played a lot more than I expected. I wish more acts would come to Oxford and do this."

Pixies' fan Mike Griffiths, 22, who travelled from Birmingham, added: "It was nice, intimate, fun and unexpected.

"I thought it was wonderful, absolutely brilliant - really novel and it was just a pleasure to see someone at work like that just performing.

"It was nice, intimate, fun and unexpected."

And Oxford Brookes student Alex Abbott, 21, said: "It's cool to see someone who is quite famous.

"It is really good he played a couple of his Pixies' songs and some of his new stuff."