WHETHER you are a fan of dance, ambient, chill-out or just some cheeky sampling, The Orb are genuine electronic legends — and Alex Patterson’s noise stalwarts have lined up a rare appearance in the county.

With dancefloor friendly chart hits Little Fluffy Clouds and Toxygene, the Orb have collaborated with Nine Inch Nails and Pink Floyd in the past, securing their place as international club favourites and master mixers.

Catch them at Preston venue 53 Degrees on March 28.

Welsh rockers The Blackout are known for their furious live shows and they will light up 53 Degrees in January with their first appearance there, shortly after energetic Midlands punk act Max Raptor also make their debut show.

Fresh from a support slot with Fearless Vampire Killers, the Raptor’s hook-fuelled chant England Breathes is a massive favourite on Radio One.

If you like your sounds a bit more mellow, The Soul Train pulls into 53 Degrees on the first day of February for their first ever show in the city.

Bringing the best in Sixties and Northern Soul, the East Lancashire nine-piece captures the feel of the 1960s classic soul era, as well as celebrating the sounds of Wigan Casino and Twisted Wheel with a splendid selection of Northern Soul anthems.

The show will also feature Northern Soul DJ Steve Andrew, so it’s time to freshen up those dance moves and keep the faith.

Godfathers of heavy metal Saxon, once one of Britain’s biggest heavy rock acts and who influenced Metallica and Megadeth, power up for another skull-crushing festival of noise at the venue a fortnight later.

With four top ten UK albums, Saxon sold more than 13 million albums worldwide.

Tune up those air guitars and stand by for those classic riffs from monster hits Wheels of Steel and Strangers in the Night.

Death Metal juggernauts Martyr Defiled make Saxon sound like Black Lace and their murderously contagious riffs and front-loaded thrash has seen the growling five-piece emerge as one of the most talked about bands in the land.

Reverend and the Makers are the brainchild of Sheffield’s Jon McClure, who recorded the original demos for the band with members of the Arctic Monkeys.

The Reverends combine indie rock, electro and funk, and their catchy single, Heavyweight Champion of the World,’ culled from first album, won them a support slot with Oasis and a huge following. Mike Peters will celebrate the 30th anniversary of The Alarm’s hit album Declaration with a one-man show at the venue in March.

Peters will present the album, with stories and images to highlight the impact the album – including hit single Sixty Eight Guns – had on the 1980s world of power pop.

Funny girl Kerry Godliman will be sure to have the audience laughing in the aisles when this up and coming actress and comedian brings her act to 53 Degrees a week later.

The Babycham Funny Women competition finalist starred alongside Ricky Gervais in television comedy Derek and a hilarious stint on Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow.

For details of all 53 Degrees shows, contact 01772 893000.