Bombay Bicycle Club, Camden Barfly

As Levi’s Ones to Watch speeds its way round the country this month they have decided, rather irresponsibly if you ask me, to let the kids take the wheel. And it is certainly working to great affect. Time will only tell if Bombay Bicycle Club go on to fulfil their potential, but on this showing it would be a crime of extraordinary proportions if they don’t. And a band with this much energy could only benefit from a crowd already suitable crazed.

First up are Operators and the Isle of Wight’s next big thing do themselves no harm with a set, which even if it does feel slow in comparison with what was to come, is full of rock and soul, and it is synth led at that. Cruising through, this tight outfit flit between tempos and styles with each song and even fit in a quick nod to Lupe Fiasco. As you do.

Next up are Flashguns, who describe their roots as ‘mainly London & some Brighton’ and include Bill Shakespeare, Usain Bolt and the Cure in their influences. Whether for better or worse it is Robert Smith’s men that shine through under the dim Barfly lights, only played at ten times the speed and ten times the volume. For those of you wondering how that sounds the answer is, pretty bloody good. Flashguns aren’t quite as dark as Smith and Co but that will surely come with age and they are, undoubtedly, one to watch.

An impressive and equally young supporting cast could not hide the fact that this night belongs to Bombay Bicycle Club. A set that includes a decent fistful of new tracks, all of which impress, is also compiled of more than enough material for a top quality album and the kids (this is 16+ gig) make the most of the rare opportunity to spend the evening standing in a bar watching a band this good. More importantly a band that haven’t peaked yet already have songs like the awesome ‘Evening/Morning’, ‘How Are You?’ and ‘Ghost’. In fact there isn’t an average song let alone a bad one in the entire set and the crowd, many of them without the help of alcohol, don’t stop pogoing and singing until well past their bed time. It turns out the kids are still alright.