Live Review: Sex On Toast, New Venusians, Cannibal Spiders

Cannibal Spiders made a ripple in the evening with an early pensive and atmospheric jam session.

The four-piece played mostly instrumental songs with overtones of blues and hints of soft psychedelia. The small but enthusiastic crowd responded to the groovy rhythms with whimsical zeal. The band, in turn, responded with mirrored meditative movements.

New Venusians showcased great potential as an R'n'B band with some sweet bass lines and saccharine vocals from their singers. Their sound, while presenting shades of R'n'B, soul and funk, still needs development. The performance lacked layers and direction, and it was difficult to get a sense of the band’s unified vision. Still, some songs shone in an otherwise confused set, with Meklit Kibret’s voice taking centre stage in Keep Running… And Running.

Sex On Toast rolled into town, out of the darkness and into the relative spotlight of the Factory Floor, heralding such disco-inspired tunes as their ever-popular anthem, Oh Loretta! and late-'80s-esque pop song, Give It To Me. It was unfortunately the PA who took the limelight here as the sound presented was washed out and muddy. This was compacted by the sultry atmosphere of the room, resulting in a disconnect between band and audience.

Angus Leslie’s voice was drowned out in the noise, and it became increasingly difficult to distinguish between instruments as the band waded through their catalogue of unique and disparate tracks. While the sound let down the audience, the band performed like troopers, maintaining their enigmatic stage presence made up of stylised movements and co-ordinated tableaux.

No matter the location or technical difficulties, Sex On Toast have an overwhelming ability to make you shake your money-maker.