On November 9 of last year Alphastates played a typically excellent gig at the Sugar Club. Showered with applause and the usual foot-stomping mania that follows their performances, one punter felt that theft thought the appropriate response. The band's laptop was never seen again.

As well as containing music and mailing list information, the laptop in question contained unspecified, irreplaceable "important stuff".

Not expecting that the thief would actually return the laptop, Alphastates are holding a fundraising event this Friday, January 30, in the hope of purchasing a new one.

The gig, which will be held at the same fateful venue, will feature Alphastates, Life After Modelling, Neosupervital, Declan O'Rourke, Ann Scott, Ellison 9, Arveene and Johnny Moy.

A top line-up for a good cause, tickets are priced at €8 (before 9pm), €10 (after 10.30pm).