The Oracle are playing a series of warm-up gigs before the taking to the stage at the Battle of the Bands at the end of the month, writes Nick Rutherford.

The five-piece band from New Addington have been together for two years playing what they describe as "melodic, pop, rock" in the style of groups like Oasis, Coldplay and Stone Roses.

The Battle of the Bands, in London's Covent Garden on August 22, is a big deal for The Oracle because the competition is being judged by people in the music industry, so it will be good exposure for them. Drummer Rick Francis quipped that the £1,000 first prize or even the third prize crate of vodka might come in useful too. Second prize is tickets to a Budweiser music festival.