Live Review: Darren Sylvester, Montero Fatti Francis

Opening proceedings is Fatti Francis, who plays tracks from her increasing catalogue, but predominantly those from her debut full-length album, Lie For Me. Next to warm up the small-but-already enthused crowd is Montero, a band fronted by Ben Montero and one that arguably possesses our city's most enthusiastic and animated drummer, Cameron Potts. Engulfed in shadows and slightly macabre lighting, Potts draws attention, hovering intently over his kit and triumphantly raising arms between every welcome crash of the cymbals. Between Chapter Music founder Guy Blackman, Crayon Fields frontman/solo artist Geoffrey O'Connor and synth-whiz Gerald Wells, there is a supreme amount of talent in the band, and they do a fine job of building intensity and anticipation throughout this brief set. Songs from their recently released debut album, The Loving Gaze, are particularly well received.

Finally, Darren Sylvester – the man with equally generous lashings of calm and charisma – steps on stage to indulge Kelvin Club with material from his new album, Off By Heart, a follow-up to 2009's self-titled album. A man with manifold talents, Sylvester is also renowned for his photography, sculpture and video productions, providing depth and inventiveness to the headliner's already-esteemed status.

This quaint private club, with walls adorned with images of game birds and a carpeted floor, is a fitting venue for Sylvester, as it provides a cosy-yet-vintage feel, which is in sync with his sound. Sylvester's tunes are lacquered with tones of '70s and '80s synth-pop, and give notable nods to artists such as David Bowie and Joy Division. The crowd is also appropriately eclectic, which gives the evening a theatrical, on-set feel. United, the crowd move when instructed, clap dutifully at the end of each song and tap their feet without pause. However Sylvester, the evening's protagonist, remains shrouded in smoke and a blue haze onstage, and strides comfortably through the hour-long set. Playing tracks from new album Off By Heart such as opener Toni, How Did You Get So Cynical; Too Hot For Love and Don't Do That To Yourself, Sylvester and band end with 23, a more familiar song taken from his first album.