WE said they'd be the Colchester band to watch and it turns out we were right about Monster Florence.

The product of two separate musical groups joining forces; record producer and bass player Tom Donovan, drummer Cameron Morrell and saxophonist and keyboard player Jonny Poole; along with rappers Wallace Rice, Alex Osiris and Dream McClean, the band has been together almost two years now.

Tom says: “This version of Monster Florence began with the Free Festival when we were asked to put a band together for the event. We weren’t exactly sure how it would work on stage but it turned out to be pretty great in the end.”

After a very well received debut EP, followed by several other releases and some pretty mean support slots including the mighty seminal UK rap group, Foreign Beggars, the six-piece are now putting their own headline show at the Colchester Arts Centre this weekend.

Tom adds: "We're pretty excited about it and we have invited some of our close friends to play, which includes Lydia Kitto, Rye Shabby, Paris Robbo and Piers James.

"We also have 3D projections and visuals from Sam Bear, which is going to add a massive visual impact to the event."

The gig couldn't come at a better time for the band as they gear up to the release of their debut album 48 next month following new single Anne Boleyn which came out this week.

And if that wasn't enough to get people looking their way, the group have also scored a massive festival slot at this year's Reading and Leeds Festival.

"We are so excited to be playing the BBC One Extra Stage," Tom says, "especially after being lucky enough to play twice at the Great Escape in Brighton earlier this year.

"Steve Lamacq hand picked us to play on the Friday night for BBC introducing which was such a big honour."

Monster Florence play Colchester Arts Centre this Saturday, June 24. Doors open at 7pm with the first act on 7.30pm. Tickets are £12, £10 concessions, available by calling 01206 500900 or on-line at www.colchesterartscentre.com