Now in its ninth year, Audioscope has seen bands like Young Knives, Fourtet and Clinic pitch in to support Shelter. 2009 sees the event grow in size, with a stunning line-up of well-established acts alongside the local talent offered in the past. Things begin with Hereford’s Talons, a sextet in search of a film epic enough for them to soundtrack. Powered by two violins and a drummer with boundless energy, the band’s instrumental creations ascend and descend constantly, as if soundtracking the greatest televised battle scene you’ll ever watch.

Next up, the ridiculously named Bronnt Industries Kapital are a real lowlight. For 40 minutes the instrumental musings of Guy Bartell bore what had been a growing crowd into vacating the room, leaving just a handful to catch Remember Remember, which is a shame, as the Glaswegians are a pleasant listen, all semi-classical soundscape and gentle melody.

Not so long ago, The Longcut (pictured) were being hailed as the best new band in the UK, endowing the baggy grooves of the Stone Roses with a clinical pop sheen. But having failed to deliver on their early promise, they’ve seen competitors like Friendly Fires achieve the success they seemed destined for. Now back, the trio have refined their sound to give a harder edge. Whereas their early material was prone to wayward tangents, material from the new album Open Hearts is a lot more focused and engaging. The initial hype may not have been all that misguided.

Headliner Maps have been quietly making album number two for some time now and seem overjoyed to be once more playing live. New tracks Let Go of the Fear and It Will Find You are more geared towards playing out, seeming more immediate than the earnest early material. The crowd lap it up, in any case, and there are plenty of hands in the air by the set’s close. A euphoric end to a very good day; roll on Audioscope10.