Live Review: House Of Giants, Midwest, Harlequin

Only a few shows on since introducing their new vocalist Stephen Nolan and Harlequin are already looking and sounding like a band on the cusp of creating something revelatory. Nolan's voice is humbling to say the least, and it naturally soars over the quintet's experimental brand of rock. Untitled and Loop benefit from a number of tempo changes and the boys' smart grasp of dynamics means that the music is always working towards something climactic – if the journey hasn't taken you there already. When bassist Jack Hudson cuts an excited glance over to guitarist Michal Mihow before launching into the finale of Rachunek, you just know the group are enjoying things as much as we are.

Midwest are the most straight-up band on this bill, playing a passionate brand of post-hardcore that recalls the fantastic punk currently coming from east coast America. It suits the house party gigging vibe that you get from The Waiting Room perfectly. Miles and Lewis Wilson trade in these really solid riffs that are propelled forward with rhythms by the ever-smiling Hobey Bennett. The guitarists thrash about when it's called for, and concentrate on the upper register of their fretboards when they want to get a little provocative. This all goes down while Timothy Corke chokes out his bass guitar and emotions, the frontman's vocal tone making sure you feel every guttural roar. As Far As The Eye Can See is a highlight.

The evening then gets a real freeform lean as headliners House Of Giants plug in. The instrumental group move in and out of various styles with frightening ease, and when they really lock in on a certain section – be it prog, jazz or funk – it's impossible not to be completely knocked over by the collective experience. Zac Rainsford is the focal point of the group – moving his fingers across his guitar neck like a spider crawling over a web, while smashing additional percussion when it's called for. But you get the sense that it's only that way because he's positioned at the front of the group – someone has to be. This is the great thing about House Of Giants: no one is the hero, it's the music that is the star. And you get the feeling that's exactly how the five-piece – and everyone else in the room tonight – like it.