The Foxes, Amy and the Integrals, The Delaneys, Matrix.

Lev 2 Esquires Bedford. 27th February 2009.

Lydia Maddix and Matt Jarman aka MATRIX confidently opened. Aptly, "Should I" was the opener as it was Lydia's first stab at songwriting. I notice that she's wearing a Superman top, perhaps it should have been a Wonder Woman outfit! Lydia giggles nervously throughout, bless her, while guitar partner Matt studiously and unblinkingly strums away. Methinks he could make a good poker player! Other songs of note are "Be Quiet" about Lydia's younger sister. "Automatic" is a new one about people who don't do things for themselves. However, "Hide and Seek" is appropriate as prior to their song "Leaving", Lydia dropped her plectrum on stage and lost it amongst the cables!

THE DELANEYS are sharply dressed with the attitude and music to match. A little rough round the edges, but their Kooks-esque leanings are all too evident as they take us through summery songs such as "China Doll" and "Out of Town", which comes complete with a swirling guitar intro. Perhaps as they grow older the bounciness might have a touch more bite, but for the moment it's so far so good.

What can one say about our young local treasured trio AMY AND THE INTEGRALS? Appropriately they begin with "Smile Now". She might be recreating girl power for Bedford, but if Amy has to correct her male fans, it is always done with a smile on her face. "Once upon a Journey" and "Chavs of 2023" are rapturously cheered by the hordes of young followers in tonight. The mischievous "Master of Disguise" is followed by "Maybe Tonight" in which Amy And The Integrals move out of the comfort zone. You can only grow if you are willing to feel awkward and uncomfortable, when you try something new. This song is certainly that as it was written "like last week" exclaims Amy. She also informs us that drummer Frankie has his own fan club! A refreshing innocence, the set is a pure joy as they perforn songs about all things teenage, but delivered with so much maturity.

Tonights headliners are London based THE FOXES. They are at present spending the whole of February and March travelling Great Britain as part of their Bill Hicks 2009 tour. With a fair degree of variation, which is exemplified by opening song "Trauma Towns" use of ska rhythms while catchily singing "I don't want to go to your party". It's clear to see that the strength of this band seems to be their ability to pen tunes that keep the blood cells circulating at a rate far exceeding normal levels. Most peoples faces here have that happy glow. "Dark Brown Charm" is a quintessentially english drop dead gorgeous pop song. "Headlock" takes things down a bit, but The Foxes admit that this B side from their first single is "a bit mad". The band also inform us that tonight is their 200th gig. With the breezy pop of "Hey Baby" contrasting so well with the slower and reflective "No Reply", the set is always brimming with style, substance and invention. A faster paced "Lover Killer" and a slightly psychedelic "Run" then give way to the forthcoming single "Bill Hicks" which is released on 16th March. An album is due in the summer with, perhaps, hopefully a return to Esquires soon after.