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The Departure swagger on stage with a promising arrogance, kicking off with a brilliant performance of ‘Be My Enemy’, an exciting start to the gig. Unfortunately it turns out their set seems to be made up of this same song played in a variety of subtly different ways. Songs like ‘Arms around me’ have promising introductions but never quite reach the climax they really need to to make an impact. All the right elements to be really good are present in this band; technically they’re all clearly talented, and lead singer David Jone’s voice is strong and memorable, but shouting “this gig is going to be punk rock” is never a good idea when his drainpipe jeans are about the only punk influence obvious. However it would be unfair to paint a bad picture of The Departure because the potential is definitely there and they are all obviously talented musicians. They just feel like a band that’s still discovering what they can do together. They need to build up the confidence with their sound to take some risks with their music in the future.
Fortunately The Kooks blow away the meandering disappointment of The Departure, and from the numerous young girls walking around covered in promo stickers and Kooks emblazed plectrum earrings, they’re clearly the reason a large majority of the people in the audience are here tonight. Luckily there's no way they could be disappointed in the performance given. Bounding on stage with a seemingly unlimited supply of enthusiasm, The Kooks have a new distinctive style that provokes that rare feeling in you when you know you’re watching a band that are truly something to get excited about. With a unique reggae, ska sound, their music provokes a frenzied reaction from the audience. The band's lead singer Luke Pritchard runs around the stage with the energy and side show bob hair that leads to the conclusion that he's very possibly hot hot heat’s Steve Bays’s long lost little brother. His voice is strikingly strong and shares the same penetrating quality of Rob Harvey from The Music. This mixed with their staccato phrasing gives the band a unique edge. This band really are amazing, they perform a flawless, varied set and their dirty disco sound will no doubt be coming to an indie disco near you soon.
After such an exceptional set, headlining band Clor are in danger of being outshone. However the only disappointment is the fact that the gig has overrun so Clor’s set is cut short. Coming on stage looking refreshingly uncool, they are a totally unpretentious, gracious band, who clearly just loves playing music together. As they break into ‘Good Stuff’, they looked shocked at the reaction they get as the audience breaks into crazy dancing, shouting the words along with the band. The rapport Clor have with everyone in the room creates a really intimate feel to the gig that you would normally expect from a much smaller venue. At the crowds request they play ‘Outlines’ next, shouting the chorus line "Each of us our special in our own unique way" with so much conviction it’s as if it’s the most important thing in the world that everyone in the audience believes it to be true, and in a truly ridiculously cheesy moment between us and the band, we do. ‘Danger Zone’ is another high point of the set. It captures the labyrinth of the journeys that Clor take you, drawing you in with their angular sound, and slightly sinister overtones. Clor are truly an original band, who everyone should experience live in order to fully appreciate just how exceptional they are.
