Riding high on the success of their latest album It's A Wonderful Life, Sparklehorse have once again produced an enigmatic sound, leaving the listener more enthralled with each play. The third album proper from the band is primarily the creation of Mark Linkous.

The boys have just returned to the UK following a triumphant tour supporting the Flaming Lips.

The partnership of Mark Linkous and Scott Minor will be joined Todd Kelly for the UK tour. New additions to what Linkous calls his 'new touring pop group' include Margaret White on violin, bass and keyboards and Al Weatherhead on guitar and keyboards.

After playing the Wedgewood Rooms, the horse will include support dates with REM and Beth Gibbons on their European tour. This Portsmouth date will be another chance for this most prolific of bands to touch the hearts and minds of an audience fed up with formulaic pop.

Support will come from Welsh band Mountaineers, known by their fans to embrace modern software technology in crafting their sound. Their website describes them as 'a truly 21st century band'. This will be the first of ten support gigs the band has with Sparklehorse in Britain before embarking on their own headlining shows later in the month.

July 7, The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth. Performance: 8pm, Tickets: £12.50. Box Office: 023 9286 3911