Live Review: Regular John, Songs, Glitter Canyon

Glitter Canyon were out to make their mark sonically and physically on the arriving punters and they definitely achieved that goal with a set that included confetti, crepe streamers and a hand axe. Frontman Chris Penney was all eye-bulging, Iggy Pop-aping and preposterous posing, but such is his self-belief he pulled it off, even planting a surprise kiss on the cheek of Songs' Ela Stiles much to her shock/disgust. The band matched Penney's energy levels and though their sound is a fairly standard take on glam boogie punk and blues and their antics threatened to overshadow the music, they still kicked proverbial arse.

The choice of Songs as support presented a nice sense of balance to the opening acts. Songs took a very different tack with their detached guitar pop and diversions into Germanic-inspired space rock. Unfortunately though, they've played many better shows and some early frustrations with the vocal monitors seemed to faze them, particularly Stiles. It was by no means a bad set though and the rhythmic explorations of their newer material were a tantalising glimpse of their upcoming album.

In celebrating the release of their impressive new album, Strange Flowers, Regular John made sure the environment was just right with a superb and trouser-shakingly loud sound mix and wonderfully complementary lighting. Many bands start off with a range of influences and refine their songs into a certain sound. The album and their live performance shows Regular John have done the opposite, expanding the possibilities of their music by incorporating a new guitarist, keyboards and producing a sound that is a fascinating mix of '80s goth and post-punk (scratchy Gang Of Four guitar), psychedelic dub and '90s rock in the vein of Smashing Pumpkins and Jane's Addiction.

Of the new songs, Sky Burial was a widescreen revelation, Letters In Braille was immersive and trippy psych rock, while Green showed the band haven't shed their heavy rock roots. It is always highly rewarding to see a band doing justice to a great album live and Regular John delivered on all fronts.