A SELL-OUT crowd rocked to the tunes of the group Scissor Sisters at the Oasis last night.

Some 3,000 people gathered at the town's famous domed leisure centre to enjoy the hot new band, which were passing through the town as part of their 11-date UK tour.

Hundreds of people arrived at the Oasis early to enjoy DJ Sammy and Kiki & Herb, a cabaret act from New York. Queues stretched from the Oasis' main entrance around to the other side of the dome.

Among the crowd gathered were work friends, Paul Scott 27 and Gillian Kiernin-Horne, 30, who brought their tickets three months ago.

Paul, who lives in the town centre and works for Nationwide said: "We were lucky to see Scissor Sisters at Glastonbury and they were amazing, so we couldn't believe it when we heard they were going to play Swindon. We should have more events like this."

Gillian, from Freshbrook who also works at Nationwide said: "They are a superb group, new, original, flamboyant, and great fun, it's fantastic to see them in Swindon"

Other fans were just as enthusiastic, Jane Hur-rell, 37, a nursery manager from Cirencester. She said: "We have seen them before when they played alongside Duran Duran at Wembley and they were amazing then."

Angela Coates, 44, an office administrator, also from Cirencester said: "They appeal to all ages, they are fun, sexy and a great group."

The atmosphere was electric as Paddy Boom, Jake Shears, Babydaddy, Del Marquis and Ana Matrionic took to the stage in bright glittering and flamboyant costumes. The hall erupted in excited roars and applause. They then rocked the night away with hits from their album.

The New York pop sensations recently headlined at the 2004 V Festival and have shot onto the world music stage with critics hailing the band as edgy, sexy. Tickets for the show sold out before October and they are the first band to appear live at the Oasis since Toploader two years ago.

Review by Amanda Goodship

The Scissor Sisters were pure magic but not like the roundabout.

As the band came on stage with the glitter ball jacket and trousers of Jake Spears sparkling under the chandelier the hall became electrified.

This theatrical band really fired up the crowd, bringing everyone together as they launched into the opening song of Laura.

It is refreshing to hear something new and exciting from a unique group of performers who more than lived up to their name even wowing staunch Pink Floyd fans with their version of Comfortably Numb.

They are a hard beat group playing something stylish for our times.

Forget your boy bands these guys really stand out and are the best tressed musicians in town, playing happy, jolly tunes including the tracks Better Luck and Lovers In The Back Seat. Ana has a wicked sense of humour and joked about being disappointed that the crowd weren't standing in the lagoon (Oasis Leisure Centre swimming pool).

I heard them the first time while on holiday in Portugal and the show brought it all back.

The atmosphere was exciting you could feel the rhythm in everyone's feet.

I hope they come again and play at the new stadium next time.