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AU deserve this party. They've survived and remained healthy for five years, while other publications have given up and folded. They've strengthened their brand and rarely compromised - handing over glossy pages to great local bands, often at the expense of bigger acts that could well shift more units.

Derry, party capital of Northern Ireland, is the perfect location. It's also a city often overlooked by local acts - quite a few on today's bill haven't played here before. Sandinos is well laid out for such a party - two rooms, far enough apart so there's no bleed, but close enough that you can saunter about and take in pretty much every note performed across the eight hours. It almost feels like a festival - with a healthy gathering making the most of a rare opportunity to see the supposed cream of Northern Irish talent, all performing under the same roof.

ATL arrives in time for The Q, on 'stage 2', in the back room. We know all about these guys, having seen them on ATL Rockschool, twice. They're a great band developing further - perhaps taking influence, maybe even out-doing the likes of Dirty Pretty Things. Raw and exciting.

Alongside the Q for ATL Rockschool 2007, were Organized Confusion. Now operating as Future Chaser, they're also showing growth, with a set that flies along, shaking up a sheepish looking crowd, who begin to settle in. While they've come on a great deal since that TV performance, they're still irritatingly young, full of wide eyed enthusiasm and cherubic intent. It's not until an epic last song, however, that we see what this band could become.

Cut to the small room; Christopher McConaghy and Co made their way to the stage delivering a set of ethereal beauty. With similarities to Elliott Smith, Scott Walker and even a hint of The Beatles, Our Krypton Son; certainly perfect for those long summer evenings left us all in a state of dreamy bliss.

Here Comes the Landed Gentry are here to shake and rile us once more. Well aware that youth is no longer on their side, they're a band for well travelled whiskey connoisseurs, not afraid of a sleazy, old-skool sea shanty. With a few low flying Derry accents ricocheting around the venue, they're the Birthday Party, if Nick Cave had been born in Altnagelvin. Unashamedly filthy.

Having been around for some years now, Farago have well established themselves within the NI music scene for their explosive energy and melodies that don't quite fit into just any genre. Tonight they're on fire; strong, captivating and leaving us all desiring more.

Spectator, on the other hand, take a little while to get warmed up. The fact that they look more like a trio of plumbers than purveyors of spikey riffola, doesn't help. But it builds into something, and by the time they play Etiquette, they could be dressed as ballerinas and it would still rock just about as much as anything we here today. The standout three minutes of the day, so far.

It remains the standout for approximately 35 minutes. At 8.25pm Panama Kings introduce 'Young Blood' and tear the back room apart. For what it's worth, they look exactly like a band, and a band we'd all really like to be part of. From the moment they step onstage and kick start a short set, everyone with ears is won over. Singer Niall was born to be the quintessential 'cool' front man, and even when his banter doesn't quite work - it doesn't matter. Perhaps the aforementioned track is a little too close to the finer works of Modest Mouse, but that doesn't matter either. There's enough creativity on this stage to prove this band are doing their own thing. We've a lot to look forward to, but the show has already been stolen, a few hours ahead of schedule.

Triggerman are not for the faint hearted. Bellowing their tracks as if it's their final hour on the planet, with a look to match the same sentiment they're a sight to behold and a welcome deviation from the onslaught of indie guitar styling's we've (mostly) witnessed so far. Think AC/DC with Captain Beefheart upfront.

It sets the scene nicely for And So I Watch You From Afar, who make the most of an increasingly busy venue, with an incredibly tight and energetic set. They know exactly how to get us feeling frisky, with "These Riots Are Just the Beginning" and "Clench Fists" insisting we feed off their energy. Another highlight.

We just about get to see Oppenheimer. Last on in a ridiculously rammed second room, the band start a half hour love in with a city they won over long ago. Radio Ulster's Stephen McCauley is practically onstage (not through choice - quite a few people are around and behind the band - there's nowhere else to stand) for 'Stephen McCauley for President', which is a suitable stand out. We're also reminded of the greatness of 'Breakfast in NYC', which hadn't made it onto recent set lists. Tracks on the new album are now old favourites, as it stands up as a work of absolute majesty. They can do no wrong.

That said, it was on a plate for Fighting With Wire. Headlining the main room, now pretty much a sell out, this was always going to be their night. We're singing along to 'Everyone Needs a Nemisis', pogo-ing to My Armoury and generally misbehaving throughout. Half way through, ATL notices why there's such fantastic bedlam down the front - there's no bouncers about. Punters are surfing across the crowd, climbing on each others shoulders. There are mini dance offs taking place by the bar while one of the local DJs, Dollface Devereaux, is suddenly semi-naked. This is how parties are supposed to end.

So, as a state of the nation, summary of what's great about Northern Irish music, today should make us proud and excited. Granted all the acts were of an ilk - Triggerman aside, today was pretty much all about boys and their guitars. A little variation would have gone down well. But as a celebration of a healthy scene, this was just the ticket. With bands of this quality and creativity - AU will have plenty to write about for a fair while yet.

Words and photos -
Denise O'Neill & Rigsy