The October Game, Firetone, Me and the Beast, Sister Ray.

Lev 1 + 2 Esquires Bedford. 11th December 2009.

It's BBC Introducing's Christmas party. With free admission throughout level 2 and Danny's Bar, the venue is thrown open to the new young talent flowing through the three counties. The show's Friday evening host Gareth Lloyd is the compare of the gig. Although I am primarily based upstairs, I do venture downstairs for a real treat.

Making a most welcome return are SISTER RAY. What started as a duo has now increased to a five piece with the newly added inclusion of a keyboard player. Genna is still very much the focal point, especially for the photographers. As well as providing the voice, her input also includes sax, fiddle and recorder. Their clever arrangements and the constant melodic unease were, for me once again, a totally infectious blend. Watching Sister Ray is rather akin to watching an action packed film with a plot that is always twisting and turning. Their songs are, at times, complex and always surreal. Especially when they rather bizarrely rhyme "bananas with pyjamas"! It enchants, they seem to entail subconscious urges and reveries. Opinions are, of course, always mixed as, at the end of the set, I discuss Sister Ray's merits with a couple of friends. Now they are fans of Dresden Dolls, so for the past thirty minutes it has been, according to one of them, a touch "faux - raw". A sure case of Sister Ray, no Virginia!

Hailing from Maidenhead ME AND THE BEAST are really the sort of band I should absolutely detest, but by the end of the set I am a massive fan. According to this quartet they "make music for girls to dance to". Me And The Beast consist of Larly Cunningham (vocals), Ash Bull (synths), Damo Bidmead (bass) and Wooks (drums). It's this electro pop band's first visit to Esquires and hopefully they can return. Starting with "Hope you're the Doctor", its positive vibe sets the tone. It's a slice of pure feel good electro-disco and is very catchy. Only one gripe comes to mind as they cover "Lovecats", but thankfully it only lasts for a short burst. They more than make up for it with both "Take my Picture" and "Can't Say Goodbye". Being old enough to remember the eighties when this sort of music was in full vogue, Me And The Beast (and I really do hate the name) give it full justice. The young singer is so photogenic and she possesses an excellent stage presence. They are the real surprise element of the evening.

For FIRETONE read Muse, snarling circular riffs allied to some powerful songs. Good dynamics abound. This MK trio are the youngsters favourites. Their explosive howls detonate this action packed set and also fuels a mosh pit, rising very slowly. The bass player finds a comfortable position as he rests himself on the metal barrier. His pose is a young girls dream.

At this point, it's time to venture into the bar and catch up with a band I have not seen in quite a while. From East Bedfordshire, it's a pleasure to welcome back THE OCTOBER GAME. A complaint would be, why is this creative band not on level 2? There they would have thrived. Unfortunately many people drunkenly stagger close to the band. Vocalist Luke is quick to seize on this as he cries out forlornly "It feels like we're battling against the elements". The October Game have an inherent beauty of words. The melancholy soaked indie-pop gains measurably from some weighty vocals. Unpretentious and delightfully honest, their feel is brooding. A deeply dark and atmospheric sound which is oh so ethereal is, I'm sorry to say, sadly lost in this boozy room. Few people seem interested in the set. A huge shame for the lads who perform so well. Contrasting his vocal duties, Luke also utilizes an electronic squeeze box while his percussionist sits on a box and taps rhythmically. It's a short set, just twenty minutes, but the memory they leave me with is so immense.