The turn of a year is an obvious time to start flapping around for the year's big thing.
Whether Candidate are up for the job is unlikely. However, as this performance emphasised, they will surely continue to grow in stature and in six months, it's a fair bet they won't be playing in this back of beyond either.
The band lazily come to life with the droning synth of 'The Great American Starving Band', and proceed to drop nicely into focus for the next thirty minutes, showing themselves to be archly talented, delicate melodic troubadours.
From the outset, frontman Joel Morris is impressive, his vocal baritone reminiscent of Nick Cave, while his personality is bullish without being arrogant and statuesque while aloof.
Relying on the kind of US alt-rock guitar tinge and resonance redolent of the likes of Smog and Sparklehorse, but less doom-laden, there is an elasticity and verve to their sound, allied impressively by a strong lyrical agenda.
Snatches of Morriss' lyrics show the focus and confidence inherent within a band that just 12 months ago were on the verge of implosion. Before second track, 'Son Of Kong', he announces: 'We're Candidate. Yeah, you've seen us in the papers.'
This is shown again on the wonderfully stark acoustic flight of 'If You Want Your Daughter', as Morris removes a girl from her desperate father's life – 'If you want your daughter, she'll be hanging out with me'. And perhaps it was just for fun.
Last single, 'Leader' is wonderful in its simplicity, portraying a flawed political premier exposed, while trying to infiltrate the avant-garde. The pithy, throwaway chorus only amplifies the fact that while Candidate may have their tongue placed in their cheek, their eyes are locked firmly on the stars.
'Swim Home' is equally magnificent, the gentle intensity lighting the way for Morris to release even more aching lines of wanting and desire, while still emanating an impervious shield.
Closer 'Bird Machine' is the only moment when the band threaten to lose control, which perhaps would not be such a bad idea. Unfortunately the guitar sound-scapes and explosive outro are ultimately kept in check, when a freewheeling noiseclash really could have blown everything apart.
Still, a beguiling and triumphant performance and enough evidence to suggest that while they may not be the brightest hopes of 2000, Candidate are forging a flourishing campaign.
