Dave the Gnome: I've just spotted a query to me a few posts back, asking the nature of the gig enquiries that I was dealing with for dates in the July - October period. A lot of gigs are booked this sort of time in advance (what you call "late", and late they certainly are for those involved with a club that books upwards of a year in advcance).
The discussions I have been having referred to: a 40th birthday party; Urban Splash's September celebration in Manchester(they have only just selected a date, I think it was dependent on abuildings or canal work being finished); a Lake District event(Septemeber); another Lake Distirct event ( August); a Stoke community event(July); another Stoke community event(August); Cork Folk festival(September). There have been more enquiries: there is a short selection, all relating to events in the next four months. I think we only have one confirmed date for 2007, incidentally, and I wouldnt generally expect to till the autumn.