Reading 2012: Sleigh Bells, Festival Republic Stage

No matter how many Marshall amps you place on top of each other, you’re not going to discount the odd technical hitch. In fact, like the noise, chances of slip-ups are bound to be amplified, and so it’s not without surprise to have Sleigh Bells hampered slightly by dodgy sound from time to time, and it’s a feeling of unparalleled ear-breaking pleasure when they do pull it off.

A flock of bouncers gracing the front of the stage seem unnecessary when the group’s set begins. But by the end, each of the dozen is occupied with one crowd-surfer after the next, as those keeping on their toes get sucked into the fury and the intensity of such a magnificent wall of vicious, sexy noise.

Alexis Krauss reacts to a blown speaker by telling the crowd “we want this to be the fucking best for you!” but when one side of sound suddenly flicks out in a split-second, barely anyone in the front gives a damn. By now they’re all too caught up in the frenzy that two guitarists - band member Derek E. Miller and tourmate Jason Boyer - provide with hints of a smile on their faces.

‘Infinity Guitars’ shows Sleigh Bells at their face-slapping best, with Krauss’ backlit silhouette circling the stage, guiding the crowd into their own acts of giddiness-induced dancing/moshing/impromptu hand movements. Highlights tend to come from the debut ‘Treats’ album, with set closer ‘A/B Machines’ nigh on sending the retiring crowd into a chant of “Got my A machines on the table / Got my B machines in the drawer”, all while the Marshall amps are finally switched from on to off, with technical hitches an incomprehensible thing of the past.