BOLTON’s rising indie stars Jordan Allen return to the south onWednesday as part of their first headline tour.

Frontman Jordan, lead guitarist Danny Quin, bassist Kieran Loughran and drummer Nathan Howard have a big following here after previous support slots in Southampton and Portsmouth.

Now the Isle of Wight Festival favourites, who won this summer’s Virgin Radio Freshfest competition, are coming back to The Joiners on St Mary Street towards the end of their 16 date run.

Jordan says that fans can expect some surprises: “A new song called Without Any Clothes is now in the set and we’ve been in the studio with our producer David Radahd-Jones re-working Wasted Generation and Out of My Mind.”

Their latest single R.O.S.I.E. was first heard on the band’s punchy debut EP Livin’ La Vida Bolton and is now lighting the touch paper for what could be the start of something even bigger for them, according to Jordan.

“It’s not easy turning heads in the music industry, but we think we’re onto something with this song and the gigs we’re playing now. People are starting to notice us, but we’re definitely having to work hard for it” he says.

Jordan added that they’ve learnt a lot from working alongside the biggest new band in Britain, including a sold out show at The Talking Heads in February.

“Touring with The Sherlocks was perfect for us; it was fun and everything we needed at the time and more. Having a leg up to help get out around the country was invaluable.”

Last week the lads played to more than 6,000 people when they joined fellow Bolton star Paddy McGuinness to switch on their home town lights. They last appeared The Joiners in March alongside hotly-tipped Sheffield band SHEAFS.

It’s all a long way from Jordan’s first solo show at The Ruby Lounge in Manchester with future Stockport stars Blossoms just as they were also starting out. “Some people went out for a cigarette when they were playing, little did they know what they were missing!” he laughed.

Support comes from The Edit, Seven Cities and Posh Ellen.

See joiners.vticket.co.uk

RICHARD DERBYSHIRE