Casiokids, Deaf Institute, Manchester

Us Brits have a lot to envy the Scandinavians for. They’ve got the hypnotising Radio Dept, the cheery Peter Bjorn & John’s, the gorgeous folk of First Aid Kit and the quirky fun of Casiokids. Filling out the Deaf Institute, despite singing in their native Norwegian and naming their second album the tongue twisting ‘Aabenbaringen Over Aaskamen’ (about 1000 Scrabble points), shows just how infectious Casiokids’ bubbly electro-pop is. The fact it’s cramped doesn’t stop the crowd shaking their hips either.

The Deaf Institute’s colourful décor, a kaleidoscope with no start or finish, matches the Norwegians’ eccentric personality perfectly. It’s hypnotising watching imitate the jolting schizophrenia of ‘Det Haster!’ or ‘Dresinen’’s sinister guitar wobbles with their hands, and as they grin cheekily throughout, it’s hard not to return the favour as they mainly dish out tracks from their brilliant new album. Heads nod in unison to ‘Kaskaden’’s spiny percussion and vocalist Ketil Kinden Endresen’s (dressed quaintly like a school librarian) groove during ‘Golden Years’ may just be the best dance of the night. Keyboardist Omar Johnsen asks: “Who’s going to the Olympics?” Hardly anyone it seems, but where the crowd fails to be excited by the big event, a song about it manages to do the job. ’Olympiske Leker’s synths stride to projections of a bike riding Charlie Brown and the French flag; it’s wandering, space-age pace reminiscent of Kraftwerk’s ‘Tour De France.’

Finally ‘Fot I Hose’’s extended ten-minute finale really gets the party going, Johnsen’s chants of “OI!” driving the crowd into a dance-frenzy. It’s a rousing ending to such an enjoyable set, and as Casiokids get up and bow, the crowd gives an unwanted farewell to one of the most fun bands ever.