The Wedgewood Rooms in Portsmouth is one of the few small venues on the south coast that actually makes the bands you see there sound good. The acoustics are excellent as is the venue in general.

I first visited the Wedgewood Rooms when I was a student in Portsmouth to see an average Led Zeppelin tribute band. Back then the walls were adorned with the then small bands that had first played at the Wedge when those bands were just starting out - Oasis, Radiohead and Ocean Colour Scene. All thos bands cut their teeth on the small stage at the Wedge.

Its quite an intimate venue, holding just a few hundred people or so. Theres a (expensive) bar as well as full toilet facilities.

The great thing about the Wedge is the sound and the atmosphere, being a small venue you really feel up close and personal to the acts on show. To date I have seen Kula Shaker, Drowning Pool and Justin Hawkins new band Hot Leg at this venue - as well as some other smaller tribute bands.

The venue also hosts a regular comedy night, if you're lucky enough to catch acts like Andy Parsons and Ross Noble, who ahve recently played there. Theres also regular club nights as well as local DJ sets.

Getting to the venue is quite simple. If you live locally the bus will drop you off in Albert Road and its a simple hop off into the venue. If you fancy a bite to eat, theres plenty of restaurants nearby from Chines to Mexican - or stop off for a drink in the 'Edge' at the Wedge next door.

Its a great little venue - worth keeping their website in your favourites just in case you miss any big names that might drop in from time to time. Glen Tilbrook and Noah and the Whale are on this week - just to give you an idea of the kind of act thats likely to go there - unfortunately you're not gonna get U2 or REM, but you might just catch the next big thing there on their way to the top.