SOUTHAMPTON’S favourite musical foursome, indie pop rockers Delays, make a triumphant return to the city this weekend with a Joiners show which sold out in just 15 minutes.

“It was just ridiculous,” laughs Aaron Gilbert, the band’s keyboard player and sometime vocalist.

“We couldn’t believe it when we got a phone call just minutes after the tickets went on sale saying they had all gone. I suppose we better not be rubbish now!

“No, that’s definitely a record for us. Joiners gigs are always special, but this one is going to be incredible.

We’ll deafen you and break the floor!”

Aaron, brother and lead vocalist Greg, guitarist Colin Fox and drummer Rowly have just finished recording their fourth album at Rockfield Studios in rural South Wales.

They’re promising a showcase of four or five tracks from Star Tiger, Star Aerial, set to be released early next year, at the hotly-anticipated gig on Saturday night.

Delays, meanwhile, seem to be gaining global superstar fans.

Celebrated record producer Trevor Horn told Simon Mayo as he sits in for Chris Evans on his BBC radio show that the swooping bass riff in Robbie Williams latest release Bodies was inspired by their song Stay Where You Are, taken from Delays debut album Faded Seaside Glamour.

Despite all that, the lads from Bitterne are still as down to earth as ever.

Speaking from their The Ranch Studios, Aaron added: “We’ve always asked for random things on our rider and now is no different. If there are no signs of astronaut ice cream, a picture of the mayor, 13 monkeys, cashmere socks, a vintage watch or a robot, there’ll be trouble!”

If you weren’t lucky enough to grab a ticket to see Delays this time around, the band also play The Brook on December 19.

Tickets: 023 8055 5366.