Photo: Elleni Toumpas

Local folkster and Woodford favourite Timothy Carroll kicks things off well for an appreciative early crowd. Things seem like a typical early night at The Zoo – that is until Tin Can Radio, well deserving of a review all to themselves, hit the stage. They look like a rock band, but sound like a Jaga Jazzist-inspired prog nu-jazz band for their first songs. After an unexpected grime rap from otherwise sweet sounding vocalist they turn rock again, recalling both Jan Hammer and Bloc Party. The drummer, obviously a huge dubstep fan, keeps energy levels high throughout the entire genre-smashing set and gets the audience (and this reviewer) moshing. I honestly think I may have found my new favourite band.

Montpelier, launching their debut EP, are quick to get their set started and feed off the buzzing crowd. It soon becomes apparent that this is indeed a much different band from their earlier incarnation, The Quills. While retaining their trademark stadium-quality performance and sound, the melodies are more refined and immediate. Sharply dressed with matching rose brooches, keyboardist/accordionist (!) Andrew Stone seems to have channelled actor John Hodgman with his new haircut. Launching into Start A War they instantly have the crowd singing along with the ‘ooh oohs’, a trend that continues throughout the night, showing that most of the audience are already fans. Frontman Dave Butler shares the limelight with new addition Greg Chiapello on vocasl and bass, an arrangement that’s oddly appealing. Concluding with The Rafters, we get treated to … the film clip of The Rafters (perhaps a buffer song between them would have been a good idea?) … before they finish off their confident, pop-filled set with Harder Times and Fireworks.

ERIK K VELAND

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