The Metros, The Broadcast, The Wallbirds.

Lev 2 Esquires Bedford. 8th March 2008.

As I walk through the Esquires car park in anticipation of tonights gig, I am struck by the absence of reliant robins parked up in the bays! That's strange - I was given to understand that Peckham's finest were in town! So instead of two dodgy geezers and a yellow three-wheeler, we are in the company of THE METROS. A five-piece indie-punk band whose notoriety already stretches to getting banned from every Holiday Inn and being thrown off the support slot with The Coral (that counts as a plus in my book!). They are currently signed to the 1965 label and tonight they draw a cosmic crowd.

"Talk About It" is their first song. Its fast, snappy, and there's an instant sense of enjoyment from both band and crowd. In fact, it's a magic start. "Last of the Lookers" is a slight departure and features a fey 'Roses' feel to it's make-up. I'm already thinking that with a sound like this, I'm sure that this time next year Saul and the boys will be millionaires! "Tuesday" and The Metros go slightly mod, well it is Saturday night in Bedford, so you know it makes sense. "Eyeballs" is full on he who dares wins, enthusiasm seeps from every pore. During "Robin Hood" a few unidentifiable items are tossed and thrown between band and audience - oh, what plonkers I muse to myself! Forthcoming single "Education Part 2" sounds 'triffic', while "Live a Little" is well 'cushty', a semi-tearjerking intro before a hail of guitars explode triumphantly. To a chorus of cheers and applause, it's totally 'luvvly jubbly' as The Metros depart the stage. However, to the disappointment of the fans there is to be no encore, and as they say in France, oh mon dieu!

Support starts with THE BROADCAST, the Hitchin boys are well known to us all here. It's a favourite venue of theirs and it shows. "In at the Deep End" is their current myspace song which gets a good reception, as does "Summers Bliss", a slower tune which is dedicated to the ladies. The fans of the band unite as they put their arms in the air and wave from side to side as one. "The Once Over" speeds things up, while "Speak, Talk, Tell" is the crowds favourite as there are squeals of delight at its start. In fact, one over-enthusiastic member of the audience throws a black bra on the stage! The Broadcast's vocalist, ever the diplomatic gentleman, smiles embarrassedly, and then puts it on for good measure! Final song "Let's go to Mexico" is a new one about sunshine in South America.

Main support, and making their final appearance with The Metros on this tour are THE WALLBIRDS. It's a sort of ramshackle indie rockabilly folk nonsense. A three-piece, I find the vocal/guitarist's natty trilby the most memorable part of the Doncaster gents visit, although the throwing on stage of a towel and a banana does come a close second! The music, however, is a total turn-off.