Live Review: Foxsmith, The Gonzo Show, The Stress of Leisure

The Stress Of Leisure begin the night with a wry dose of '80s-style weird pop in the vein of Talking Heads. Electric guitar, cello and chintzy synth sounds back the bizarre and hilarious lyrics to great effect despite lacking their drummer tonight. The mix is not especially kind with the cello and synths taking it in turns to dominate the room, which is a real shame, but regardless the charm of the band shines through. Sex Time is the awkward set highlight, as is the surprise disco jam of Hot Fire, almost channelling Flight Of The Concords. The final song is where the arrangement makes best use of the cello onstage and gleefully ends with an always welcome kazoo solo.

Jumping into a more '90s-based sound is The Gonzo Show, all noise and feedback and shredding solos. It does take a few songs for the band to look relaxed onstage, but they're in fine form musically. The rhythm section tightly chugs along while the guitarists show their considerable talent both on their instruments and when sharing the microphone. Occasionally the feedback is a little out of control and by the end of the set the band is way too loud. The songs get heads bobbing and the energy is palpable, though the tunes themselves grow a little wearing after a while with little to distinguish between them sonically. An instrumental number adds some much needed variety and shows off the band's strengths, but this marks the halfway point and the show drags from there. There isn't much of a crowd to support the long set, and they play longer than is polite.

The chattiest of the bunch this evening, Foxsmith also take a few songs to get going. There are rhythmic issues within the band, heard in the off-kilter collection of ostinatos played in the keys and guitar, perhaps not helped by a newly-joined drummer. However, the songwriting of the group prevails. They bring the Cure-esque pop into the room with You're In Luck, followed by the harpsichord-laden Collarbones. These songs highlight the contrast between the shared vocal and songwriting duties of two members, which makes for a varied show. We're regaled with a tale about a sausage dog, which gives the bouncy riff of Little Creatures an adorable context. The cutesy pop of the opening part of the show gives way to a slinkier and smoother second half. Space Jam in particular is a slow burn with its loping rhythm and swirling textures, as is the beautiful and brooding Pentimento. Having just released the video for it, the jaunty pop gem, Wake Up, closes the night.