HE’S more used to rocking stadiums, arenas and major festivals the world over with Snow Patrol.

But Nathan Connolly will be packing out a different kind of venue next week.

The guitarist and songwriter plays Southampton’s Alexandra pub with his new band Little Matador on Tuesday.

“It’s great,” he says. “I haven’t played pubs in a long time with the other band and I think the Little Matador sound suits sweaty little rock clubs and places like that. It’s aggressive music and I love getting out there in people’s faces.

“It’s a different experience for me and I plan to have time for both in future.”

The sound is as far from Snow Patrol as you could imagine.

The band have already supported Nine Inch Nails and Queens of the Stone Age and their music is high on volume, adrenaline and riffs.

Little Matador are touring their self-titled debut album, set for release by Fiction Records in April.

Nathan added: “I’ve always wanted my own band and we’ve been talking about making this record for four years. It’s been a great experience and I’m so glad everyone I wanted to do it with said yes.

“I’ve known these guys for years, but, of course, that gives no guarantee that we’ll work as musicians so I’m glad it is working so well, we’re learning lots from each other.

“Everyone from Snow Patrol has been really supportive – they love the record.

“I’m 100 per cent happy with the record. It’s raw, gritty and honest. We believe in it, we think we’ve made a great one and we just hope people will get it. We’re very proud of it.”

Members of Little Matador, who list their rider demands as simply ‘alcohol and clean fresh towels’, also have CVs that include Idlewild, The Frames and Bell XI.