Live Review: Super Magic Hats, B Kind 2 Me & Soccer Legends

The front bar of the Workers Club is next to empty as the punters are drawn to the sound of Soccer Legends in the bandroom. There is a healthy turnout for the opening act, testament to the loyal local following of the three-piece. Creating dark electronica with their respective synths, they incorporate glitchy 8-bit motifs and switch between smooth but heavily affected vocals and shouts pushed back in the mix. Their set hits the next level when they give Rihanna's We Found Love a fearsome makeover.

It only takes a moment for those in attendance to adjust to the sounds of B Kind 2 Me and soon most in the room are moving without inhibition – especially one particularly inebriated attendee. Formerly known as Rachel Haircut, Hayden Quinn performs a killer live set, moving between his Mac and an analogue mixer, which sit precariously atop a pile of crates. Quinn's own energy seems to transfer into the music as each transition is accentuated by his movements on stage. The music continually shifts with percussive rave elements flowing into deeper soul sounds. Despite only supporting tonight, B Kind 2 Me performs like a headliner, and his dedication to smashing beers on stage is admirable.

Rob Masterton, the man behind Super Magic Hats, carries an unassuming presence with him throughout his headlining set as he launches the debut EP from SMH. His face hidden by his super magic cap, Masterton sets about methodically recreating live the tracks from his outstanding EP. Backed by projected images of carnival and ocean scenes, each track is a faithful expression of the recorded output, the dazzling hooks and rhythmic passages losing none of their subdued power or subtlety. There is visibly less movement in the crowd for the final set but an air of appreciation is present as many nod slowly along to the blissed-out, summery feel of the music. Masterton does break the spell at times by mumbling a thanks or a track name in-between songs but it's hard not to admire the guy for his humble approach. The announcement of the final two songs seems to come way too early and the crowd swarms closer to the stage eager for more. But it is not to be, and despite pulling out a set highlight for his final song, Masterton brings the night to an abrupt finish.