Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

Three bands for a fiver? Ah, ATL is better than Santa this time of year. First up were Cutaways. The first thing that strikes you about this lot is that they look a lot more like a band than a lot of acts around the country these days. Don't get me wrong - most (if not all) of the best local acts are comprised of a bunch of (eventually) sweaty blokes, but it's always nice to see a bit of a change, and Cutaways' quirky indie image goes well with their quirky indie songs.

They have a few things in common with tonight's headliners - the synth indie-pop juxtaposed with loud crashing guitars and somewhat atmospheric but light-hearted keyboards. But there's almost a sense of over-reaching with that juxtaposition - the combination of too many different elements all at once begins to sound like they don't always know what they want to be, and a little bit like style for the sake of style. Having said that, there's plenty of potential. They're a tight band, they're energetic and fun, and they did the job of warming us up pretty nicely (and given the Baltic temperatures outside, that was no small task).

Speaking of energy and heat, up next we had the mighty LaFaro (oops, not supposed to call them "mighty"...). Raw, unyielding, ridiculously pulsating rock that could blow the doors off the place nevermind your eardrums: that's what LaFaro do best and my, how they do it. There can be few people around who doubt the power of this four piece - and certainly there were few doubters present. These guys have the swagger, the songs, the musicianship, the stage presence - when you see them on fire like this, it really does seem inconceivable that they aren't doing their thing on a bigger stage. They'd easily wipe the floor with bands commanding audiences of thousands, and do it with ease. If there's any justice in the world, their time will come and come soon.

What remains to be said about Fight Like Apes? Not an awful lot, but bear with us none the less.

Easily the best live act on this island (and for that matter, they'd give anyone from anywhere else a damn good run for their money), Fight Like Apes are mesmerizingly batty. Bouncing around the stage squealing, headbanging and air guitaring on a crate - that'll be the massive-haired MayKay, in her lovely silver hot pants.

At first, she comes on stage looking like the demented little sister of Robert Smith and Siousie Sioux, giving us a theatrical stink-eye, prowling around the stage as the keyboards build and build. But before long, she's bantering with the crowd - as much at ease headbanging and squealing as she is making cracks about the audience's choice of knitwear.

This is the charm of FLA. They sit effortlessly between frenzy and whimsy, and it works incredibly well. They're at the same time insane, loud and raucous as they are funny, melodious and reflective. Songs like 'Jake Summers' illustrate this beautifully. What starts out as a sweet, tuneful little synthy pop song about buying boots for your boyfriend and him crying in front of geese turns into a full-on screamy melter of genius proportions.

As for the other stand out moments - well, pretty much the entire set list. Banging, jump-around tunes like 'Lend Me Your Face' and 'Do You Karate?' send the hair and arms flying, while 'I'm Beginning To Think You Prefer Beverly Hills 90210 To Me' has us waltzing left and right (at strict command of the band, of course).

Atmospheric tension crescendos and enchants during the likes of 'Snore Bore Whore' and 'Something Global' is tinged with a hint of 80s and synth pop, with a delicious side serving of a little shouty- ness. Μύ

So, if you haven't cottoned on by now, Fight Like Apes are a sight to be seen. A stupendous night, a fabulous band. Sure you couldn't even ask Santa for more. Μύ

Orla Graham