Metronomy + Art of Opposition + Casio Kids + Dream Sequence - 5th June 2008
Reviewed by Martin Stapleton
A quirky joke from the American stand-up comedian Emo Philips rather sums up this flat and insipid evening. The quote is as follows: "A computer once beat me at chess, but it was no match for me at kick boxing"!
Headliners Metronomy are, in most quarters, the 'musical bookies' favourites as the future dancefloor big things. Heralded as musical visionaries, they ply their musical wizardry. As with a lot of bands of this ilk, there has to be a gimmick. For Metronomy it's the wearing of special fluorescent circles on their t-shirts, which glow in rhythmic timing with the rather 'plinky-plonky' music they purvey. Wow! I say, how novel!
With a quarter-full venue, there is hardly a 'dancey-rave' atmosphere, but the Brighton trio are very complimentary about the crowd and Bedford in general (it is their first visit). It is always nice to hear. It seems that the people in attendance are genuine fans, and I doubt whether Metronomy would win over any new converts (me included, and they didn't!). They cite "A Thing For Me" as an example, for they played this song on tour in Glasgow, but tonight it is more special for them. With drum machine and keyboards a staple part of their armoury, there is only light relief from a touch of brass and melodica to lighten the somewhat static mode. The cheesy robotic dance routines are faintly amusing, but wear thin after a certain while. Of the songs performed, it's only "Back on the Motorway" that remotely holds my interest. It is from their forthcoming (September release) album. However, for an unconverted cynic, it sounded very similar to "Autobahn". Audience interest seemed to peak with "Holiday", which is the bands next single and is richly celebrated in the room.
Except for the entertaining Art Of Opposition, the support slots fell victim to the technical gremlins. Opening band Casio Kids snapped four strings after opener "Something Better Than". With good use of feedback guitar, allied to the keyboard, it's only the disinterested appearance of the band that lets them down. Still promising though. The Klaxonish "Skeletor" was interesting to say the least.
By their own admission, the Herts trio Art Of Opposition are the only band without a keyboard this evening. They say a change of name is due in late summer when they head out in tour. Considering they are minus a guitarist its an enjoyable set.
Electronic pop duo Dream Sequence suffer from musical 'Murphy's law'. What can go wrong invariably does, as Charles' laptop crashes on numerous occasions. Not to be put off, the two lads put all the problems behind them to produce a spirited show. Cover song "Gold" is brought into the 21st century, while Dream Sequence imagine we are all in Ibiza for "Let Me Go". The rather camp "Is it that Hard? (To be Yourself)" gets a good reception and a few wry smiles!