The funny thing about writing is how easy it is to lose motivation. It doesn't matter how much ink is in your pen if you can't think of anything to say. At other times, there just isn't much to say. It was one of those times at King Tuts. The sound was mediocre at best and, barring a sparkling turn from the Futuristic Retro Champions, not much in the way of musical excitement to report on.
Nespresco, I think, haven't been playing together for long. There was an awkwardness to their performance that suggested as much and there was little in the way of adventure in their songs. From what I heard, I'm sure Radiohead figure amongst their influences but they were about as dynamic as James Blunt.
The Futuristic Retro Champions knew they it was a Friday night and they were out to have fun. With a relentlessly animated singer, they bounced through a set of infectious electro pop ditties that lifted the spirits of the audience. A crackerjack turn that left me smiling.
Charlotte Hatherly was a rather more serious proposition. Armed with sterling support from her band, she made a concerted attempt to overcome the limitations of the sound. However, despite a near Spinal Tap moment as her roadie darted about the stage handing out plectrums and fiddling with microphone stands, it was just not happening and the crowd began to thin out.
Oh well, back to the bar.