Fanfarlo, Jesca Hoop, Race Horses – 11/02/10 @ Brudenell Social Club Leeds

Race horses are an indie band who sing occasionally in Welsh and are therefore going to get compared to the Super Furry Animals and Gorkys which is no bad thing! These fresh-faced youngsters certainly have the innovation to take on that mantle. They had energy by the bucket-load and their sense of fun came across with intriguing lyrics and occasional comic moog sounds. Got their Goodbye Falkenburg CD which has been on constant rotation in the kitchen. I wonder what Marged Wedi Blino is about? Catch them while you can.

Jesca Hoop described herself as the palette cleanser between the other bands. Her sometimes mesmeric guitar licks induced a meditative-like state. No idea what she was singing about most of the time (one song was apparently inspired by a conversation with her mum who had cancer) but your attention didn’t wain…..and she used to babysit for Tom Waits – yes THAT Tom Waits! (the track’s called ‘Whispering Light‘ BTW)

I first heard the Fanfarlo album at Prof Ozs house (he has the beautifully packaged version which goes for +£50 nower days) and have played it to death since. If you had to describe them youd say they were in the same school as Arcade Fire, but as with most descriptions of music – it doesn’t do them justice. The crowd lapped it up and it looked like the band enjoyed themselves too! This footage of ‘Atlas’ is great. 3 new favourite acts in one night – you can’t complain at that can you!

Bob the Chiropodist