Athlete, Camp America, Tape the Radio.

Lev 2 Esquires Bedford. 10th September 2008.

It's ironic that on the night previous, Esquires visitors Elbow were celebrating their Mercury album prize success, while one of their contemporaries, ATHLETE, are here making their Esquires debut. Needless to say, this gig has been sold out for weeks and the lucky people who managed to obtain tickets let out an almighty roar as the Deptford boys walk on stage. Patriotic vocalist Joel Pott triumphantly tells everybody that the England football team have won 4-1 in Croatia. The cheers are loud and you somehow sense that tonight is going to be a little bit special.

Joel starts by telling us that this short September tour of smaller venues is an idea conceived by drummer Stephen Roberts. Athlete have never attempted this before and Bedford is very much the litmus paper in this trial experiment. A member of the crowd shouts out to the band "Why have you come to Bedford?". Joel retorts with "Because it's close to London"! As Athlete begin their set they experience slight technical problems. It appears that the warm room is playing some nasty tricks with their guitars and sending them, at times, a little out of tune. The band joke about it and soon everything is OK. Joel is very much the catalyst between band and crowd. As 'The Awkward Goodbye' closes to what is rather mute and polite applause, he indignantly tells the crowd to be a bit livelier. "This is not tennis!" he says. Having been ticked off and slightly reprimanded, the crowd respond in magnificent style on 'The Getaway'. Joel asks for their participation and they respond with their booming "ooh ooh oohs".

There are more decisions to be made. By a show of hands, the audience decide that Athlete should perform 'Vehicles and Animals' rather than 'Beautiful'. The song is from their eponymous debut album and is thoroughly enjoyed. Their delicate harmonies, mischievous electronics (although keyboardist Tim Wanstall is having a few slight problems), and minor chord changes make for a blissful listen. The gentle relaxed manner continues as the band discuss what to call one of their newer songs. It has the provisional title of 'Grandpa's Symphony'. However, Athlete don't think thats quite good enough. We await developments. Their final song is 'Tokyo', taken from last years 'Beyond the Neighbourhood' album. The big guitar hooks truly stand out. The inevitable encore situation is handled with deft aplomb as the lads simply stay onstage and carry on! Starting with 'The Outsider', the lyrics of "can you spot the English here" are naturally sung loud and proud. After working the crowd superbly, the still jaw-droppingly gorgeous "Wires" is accompanied by a singalong crowd. Performed live, this radio friendly anthem is awesome! Fittingly, Athlete bow out with '24 Hours'. This song about moments of togetherness is an apt choice to bow out. Oh yes! Tonight Athlete truly had the style!

Athlete set list:

• Light the way, • Hurricane, • Shake those windows, • The awkward goodbye, • The getaway, • Vehicles and animals, • Half light, • Don't hold your breath, • Grandpa's symphony, • Tokyo • The outsider, • Wires, • Summer sun 24 hours.

Support came from drum and synth duo Camp America, whose liberal use of voice sampling is at all times interesting, especially on 'Panic: We are Hanging Here". Indie trio Tape The Radio sparkle with 'Stay inside'.