Iglu and Hartly, OK Tokyo, Ice Sea Dead People.

Lev 2 Esquires Bedford. 23rd May 2008.

Tonight, local promoters Chris and Gareth, aka The Hungry Bears, are celebrating a year of promoting. After a year of bringing Bedford such a diverse line-up of national and international bands, tonight is no exception as recent SXSW sensations Iglu And Hartly bring their unique style to the birthday celebrations.

Goodie bags are distributed along with a plethora of balloons. Young, local, angular art-rockers ICE SEA DEAD PEOPLE spectacularly open the proceedings in their own ear-splitting-noise-shattering way! Although it's a party I.S.D.P. are in a rebellious agitated mood as they crazily burst balloons with their guitars, before chillingly announcing "Kill rock stars! Death to rock stars!". If you like your music on, or close to, the edge, then this young trio are your men. A compulsive sight, the blistering "I'm Cat" sets it's own agenda as the drumming and guitar sounds seem a little too frightening for the early party guests. "Laser Brain" is self-explanatory.

Imagine Supergrass hiring Mika as their front-man and you pretty much get OK TOKYO! High pitched vocals mix and match with self-assured conviction. The swaggering "Return of the Rock Stars" is an over-the-top full blown rock song complete with a knockout chorus, while "Biometric Calculator" certainly presents some glam-camp sounds. The undertones are under the surface, but played out to an infectious bounce that wins most folks over. Most support bands are not afforded an encore, but the noisy demands from the crowd bring the trio back on stage. But then, for OK Tokyo, "You Better Believe It"!

IGLU AND HARTLY have currently been touring around London, and as they tell me "It's been real fun!". When I inform them that Esquires used to be a church, the band seem surprised, but fascinated. I think already they sense there could be a good atmosphere for them tonight in this small town. They contain, very loosely, two 'rapping' vocalists, two 'crazy' guitarists and a manically charged up drummer! They begin with "Violent and Young", and it's arguably their finest song, complete with a catchy chorus of "Turn yourself around, take a step down".

Collectively in action, the band all gel. They may be Americans, but tonight they have been adopted in Bedford. "Music lover" is hugely influenced by Beastie Boys, while "In this City" is a song about their homeland of Los Angeles. As the set draws to a close, the band compliment the crowd on being "Awesome!". This is engagingly reciprocated as a mass roar for an encore sees a mad finale as Iglu And Hartly invite as many of the birthday guests as possible to join them on the stage to perform "The Pyjama Song"! A crazy chaotic end to the celebrations, but thankfully no damage to equipment or people!