HeKz, Betaboy, Rotating Leslie, Agile Beast, Tonight We're Electric.

Lev 2. Esquires Bedford. 4th December 2010.

A free gig is always a tempting offer. Tonight it is provided by BBC Three Counties Radio who, courtesy of their Friday night Introducing programme, presented a seasonal Christmas shindig. Their show is hosted by Gareth Lloyd who is on hand to link the gig together and record it for future broadcast.

Headlining are perennial Esquires favourites HEKZ. With a busy tour schedule in 2010, things have got back on track for this popular quartet. This year had seen them invigorated and the lads reveal that next year will hopefully see them return to the recording studio. The month of December is always a time for reflection and frontman Matt Young speaks fondly as he recalls, prior to the excellent "Exodus", how he remembered playing at BedRock 2006. The 'Ath' night were special to him. Powerful and dynamic as ever, their ferocious guitar drenched riffs are complemented by Kirk's fearsome drumming. As ever, it is the 'engine' that constantly drives the 'HeKzmobile'. Always visually superb, they are a band who like to take some unexpected and ambitious melodic paths amongst their tried and trusted songs.

In their own way and equally exciting this evening, are BETABOY. It was here in Danny's Bar that this quartet launched their new album "Won't Work for Money". The renowned Sound Arc Studios have made an excellent job of replicating this band's live show onto disc. OK, I know that Betaboy are unashamed 'planet sized pop', which perhaps for some is an acquired taste, but yes, this reviewer definitely buys in to their saccharine coated overload. It's been a year of progression for Betaboy and next year could be even more exciting. They have earned a slot on a festival show in Japan. Electronically driven, their interaction with the crowd is always reciprocated. Headed by "Good Girl", Betaboy continue to be both danceable and listenable. Not always an easy task to manage. Needless to say, their seasonal cover of "Last Christmas" had Betaboy's stamp all over it.

Also appearing tonight are, firstly, ROTATING LESLIE. Considering their pedigree of a Reading festival appearance they are a strange choice to open. A five piece who mix and match their sounds well. A flavour of rockabilly contrasts with a slight reggae feel on two of their songs. Smartly attired with freshly ironed shirts, they create a sizeable impression on their Esquires debut. Also new to us are Agile Beast who offer a concoction of sounds. This trio do try hard but nothing really sticks in the mind.

The fans' favourite seem to be TONIGHT WE'RE ELECTRIC. Action and excitement seem to emanate both on stage and off. The crowd cheer loudly as this electronic influenced band perform "Summer 2011". Fittingly, on this xmas party, a medley of "Holidays are Coming" (the Coca Cola one!) and the old standard of "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" are performed.