Slaves: pristine guitars and slamming stand-up drums

Oh ‘ello! Other Voices has always had an eye better than Coco Chanel staring at a strip of black cloth, but opening with a British band this unheard of yet this brilliant is really a statement and a half. Slaves arrive on stage, a two piece all ballsy yet pristine guitars and slamming stand-up drums, grabbing the surrounding woodland by the trunk and shaking the foliage to bits.

With songs about living and dying like an animal, and a rock anthem about cheering up London, you’d expect a rock band with such intentions to come across confrontational, but their charisma is grin-inducing. Other Voices’ stage is blessed with brilliant sound, and every scream and sneer rings through and true. By the time the lead singer/drummer’s white T-shirt is peeled off, the lads in the front are already moshing, as this as yet undiscovered-by-the-crowd act wins some new fans. Precocious? Sure, but with good reason.