Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

Aching bones, weary heads and slightly wobbly legs of a few Electric Picnic miscreants join those without raging hangovers for an intimate show by two of alternative music current darlings. Sure, the crowd isn't huge but what they lack in size they make up for in enthusiasm.

First up Sunderland's School of Language with their brand of chamber pop. It's the kind of music that falls into the same bracket of Jens Lekman and brother band Field Music. But where the likes of Lekman has wit and charm, the School of Language leave me feeling a little empty. Sure it's competent three piece indie pop, but every song seems to descend into guitar-noodling, making each song indistinct. Perhaps it's the limitations of the guitar, bass and drums format, or my unfamiliarity with their record but nothing sets them apart from and number of acts. Maybe its just me, the crowd's reaction is fantastic, but I think on a well produced record the nuances would shine.

The distinction between the two acts tonight becomes evermore apparent when The Dodos take to the stage. Another three piece, yet the contrast of their resultant sonic textures is black and white. The Dodos' intricate finger picking, African Ewe drumming and custom percussion (including a bin), along with Μύyelping vocals produces something truly unique in today's 'boys with guitars' environment. ΜύMeric Long's storytelling blues songs by themselves would be enough, as shown on the stand-outs tonight; 'Fools', 'Jodi' and 'Red and Purple', augmented with some fantastic rhythms and touches of psychedelic insanity turns this into something rather special. And it shows in the reaction of the mostly seated audience, rapturous applause and cheers leave the band genuinely taken aback, so much so that their encore lasts for nigh on 15 minutes of improvisation. Brimming with energy, its hard to take your eyes off them, even when they are seated themselves.

Oh and did I mention the price? Β£7! Sure you could only buy a couple of pints for that, and I can Μύguarantee you wouldn't get this kind of enjoyment.

Johnny Farry