In these times of uncertainty many turn to music to find solace and hope. What the world doesn't need now is another bunch of indie blokes harping on about alcoholism, heartbreak, and loneliness with tunes that wouldn't sound out of place on a Coldplay b-side.
Which, having canvassed public opinion at work, at home and in the local McDonalds, is what some people were expecting of Starsailor, Elbow and Electric Soft Parade. So, this reviewer is delighted to report that for one blessed evening we were able to shove current affairs firmly to the back of our minds, and leave tonight's proceedings in upbeat mood.
Despite looking visibly ill and with a flu ridden singer, the Electric Soft Parade warm us up nicely with frantic bouts of head nodding. Their phat bass lines and hypnotic riffing can go on a bit but they don't outstay their welcome giving us five funky songs leaving the ceiling shaking. Mercury Music Prize nominated Elbow, meanwhile, should be a bunch of folk singers in Aaron sweaters. Instead they offer up bittersweet melodies which could see music journalists frantically thumbing their thesaurus and coming up with words like 'glacial' and 'shimmering'. The rest of us swoon, stare into the middle distance and simply say 'Wow'.
Which is exactly the reaction after a superlative set by Starsailor. On record they can come across as being, well, a bit miserable. It's that voice for a start. One either loves it or hates it. That voice belongs to James Walsh and tonight it is a revelation. When he talks he sounds like an adolescent schoolboy but when he sings he raises the goose pimples and brings a lump to the throat. This fine set of tonsils coupled with a multitude of cracking tunes, and a teasing snippet of The Strokes 'Last Night' make for a superb set. Starsailor stir up the blues with 'Fever', croon through 'Talk Her Down' and in a blazing finale bring the house down with the anthemic 'Good Souls'.
Sure, Starsailor have been hyped to the max but on tonight's evidence alone the hype is justified. Given the current predilection for all things American amongst some sections of the music press, one could fear for the current state of British guitar music (Man). Worry not, for, on tonight's evidence alone, the future's bright, the future looks to be Star shaped.
