Marmozets, Electric Ballroom, London

There’s something in the air at the Electric Ballroom tonight. A crackle of energy that jumps between the tightly packed crowd as they edge closer to the vacant stage. Thought Forms’ winding noise rock is a fading memory as purple and green lights flood the boards. A warped ‘Testify’-influenced rumble turns in time to the flash of strobes and the spark that dances around the room, ignites the moment Marmozets stroll into view.

Tonight marks the first proper headline show for the band since the release of ‘The Weird and Wonderful Marmozets’ in September of last year. Both audience and artist have been waiting a long time for tonight and from the opening crunch of ‘Move, Shake, Hide’, they make every second count.

The hard-fought celebration of self that sits at the heart of their debut is multiplied many times over as the at-capacity venue is united under chaos. From the cavorting swing of ‘Is It Horrible’ through the roar of ‘Born Young and Free’, the crowd lose themselves. Even well-versed attempts at audience participation fall short of the usual compliance as nature takes over. ‘Captivate You’ should allow for the perfect ‘lighters up’ moment but tonight arms are too busy wrapped around shoulders in support of the emotional blade Marmozets wield while the smoldering fire of ‘Particle’ is too intense for circle pits to breathe. Tonight marks an amplification of all that is weird and wonderful.

Never simply leading, Marmozets inspire something primal within their audience. There’s an art in connecting with a room full of people in this manner and tonight is a masterpiece.

‘The Weird and Wonderful Marmozets’ was a huge step up for the Yorkshire five-piece and tonight sees them take another. As the dying hammer blow of ‘Why Do You Hate Me’ rings out, it becomes apparent that despite the evocative response, Marmozets are just getting started.