Late of the Pier
*****
Pure Groove Records, Farringdon
Playing inside one of London's best kept secrets, the fab Pure Groove Records, Late of the Pier proved they're ready to take on the world.
A year ago, the quartet could have been written off as "Nu-Rave" chancers, but thankfully their superb mix of Glam and Prog with dancefloor nous means they've weathered that storm in a teacup nicely.
The lads have enough character to match their hyperactive sound. Giving out torches to use as stage lighting, using futon slats as percussion and Ross Dawson's wild, po-faced interpretive dancing are all sweet touches. But they've got the tunes, too.
Current single Heartbeat starts like smooth rockers Toto and climaxes with the kind of gleeful guitar squeals Radiohead fans still secretly crave.
By the end of the gig, singer Sam is dangling upside down above the audience and somehow managing to keep singing. A brilliant end to a brilliant show. The next great British band? Over to you...
-Oliver Keens
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