The Blood Arm + Keith TOTP, The Ruby Lounge, Manchester

In the mid 2000s, a band called The Blood Arm injected a bit of LA wit and colour into a US indie scene that boasted Hot Hot Heat, The Killers and We Are Scientists as the ‘ones to watch’. Seven years since their debut, which DIY called ‘the best debut album we can remember hearing in a very, very long time,’ we see whether The Blood Arm can still kick it on stage.

Oddly, they appear before their headline set even begins, supporting their support act, Keith TOTP with his all-star band of minor indie celebrities. Silly, simple but totally singalong-worthy, he brings us three-chord songs such as ‘I Hate Your Band’ (with local bands The Ting Tings and The Courteneers’ names plastered on his wrist), ‘(Ooh La La La) Manchester Ruby Lounge’ and ‘Two Of The Beatles Are Dead’, in which he explains that his favourite albums are the ‘Blue and the Red’. ‘Nuff said.

The Blood Arm then follow themselves back on stage after a boxing match-style introduction from a local pal they’ve picked up called ‘Crazy Pete’, and continue to demonstrate a spontaneous flair during what turns out to be a highly enjoyable and interactive live set. Their drummer wears a funny mask. They ask a standing audience to sit down on a sticky club gig floor for their ‘quiet’ moment (‘Angela’) and hell, they probably even break up a couple after singer Nathaniel dedicated ‘All My Love’ to a girl in the audience, whose boyfriend clammed up when prodded about the “L” word.

What the set lacks is the bite of a monster hit tune, but upbeat guitar numbers like ‘Do I Have Your Attention?’, ‘She’s A Guillotine’ and the Zane Lowe-favourite ‘Suspicious Character’ do more than enough to warm up a soaking Mancunian crowd into putting their pints aside and throwing a few shapes and letting their wet hair down.

Overall, the performance is a mini-masterclass in showmanship and something that all up and coming bands should aspire to – going really out on the road and having shit loads of fun doing it. Not only do The Blood Arm walk away with a set of new friends after tonight’s performance (including “Ripple Dick” (first name ‘Ripple’, second name ‘Dick’ apparently)) but they leave with a small pocket of North-West England on their mailing list.