Tom Allalone and the 78s, Amy and the Integrals, The Friday Nights, The Delaneys, Hannah Estrada.

Lev 2 Esquires Bedford. 23rd May 2009.

A new face arrives at Esquires tonight. Her name is HANNAH ESTRADA and she is from Stevenage. A petite young lady with long flame coloured hair. She is obviously a touch nervous as she tells us that it is her first solo gig since last September. She also plays in a band called Harmonic Fields, but tonight is like starting over again. With her first composition neatly told about Daisy, she poignantly performs "Chris's Song". This is about a friend who passed away recently. A cover of "No Woman No Cry" and the gentle "One Year On" keeps the set ticking over nicely. A touch of hilarity does occur when Hannah introduces "We". It's written about her sister and it's not, she giggles, spelt with a double e, "not the urine wee"! A funny moment. She also brings us her unique version of "Wonderwall". It's different lyrics would, I'm sure, have gained a nod of approval from 'the brothers'. "My Girls" is a sisters doin' it for themselves, arms in the air anthem. With, at times, a neat line in Joni Mitchell-esque cynicism in some of her lyrics, it's a pleasing Bedford introduction for Miss Hannah Estrada.

As omnipresent indie guitar bands start to lose their allure, it might be a touch difficult for quintessentially English quartet THE DELANEYS to truly make their mark. Quaintish indie-pop is mixed with a few summery surfesque vignettes. They announce at the start that they are going to "make it interesting". "Touch" is bright and breezy and very representative of their material. One word of complaint is the annoyingly long pauses between songs. It does disrupt the flow. "China Doll" and the slightly slower "Sunny Jim" are executed pleasurably with nice vocal harmonies. "Outta Town" rounds off their set.

A blistering performance by THE FRIDAY NIGHTS certainly offers a warm welcome back to this talented trio, who have certainly been missing from the Esquires stage for far too long. There is, at times, an epic behemoth of blues fuelled guitar riffs. Their blond haired frontman really takes the eye in this department. "Holiday Romance" is an impressive appetiser, but the older "Playground" is not only a band favourite but mine as well. "Home" is a fitting finale for a job well done.

AMY AND THE INTEGRALS showed a combined poise and confidence. Once more this talented young trio sprinkled a liberal dose of melodic angel dust over us all. Their portfolio of songs is designed to soothe the hearts and problems of teenage adolescence. "Smile Now" and "Rainclouds" ease us in gently. However, the mood shifts as the kitchen sink drama opens up with "Maybe Tonight". Apparently it's a song about a guy who works with Amy's mother. Josh naturally gets a mention on "Master of Disguise". Amy also has a debate about whether it is grammatically correct to say"If I was given" or "If I were given". It's a punchy tune whichever way its pronounced. With a thundering drum intro to "Once upon a Journey" and a nice ending with "The Truth", it's been a lovely half hour with Bedford's most smiley vocalist and her boys.

TOM ALLALONE AND THE 78s produce a set that contains songs that seem to want to make you dance, laugh, cry or even just jump for joy. The influences are wide ranging - rock'n'roll, rockabilly, Elvis Costello, even a little Echo and The Bunnymen. One song even gives us a taste of Prince's "1999". They are impeccably suited, sharp and smart. Between song banter is good considering that Tom says "they are a little jaded". They have been supporting Imelda May and jokingly tell us that they are her make-up advisors! When they perform it is obvious that they know how to construct a catchy tune. I would cite "Crashdown", "The Train is in the Station", The Case is Closed" and "This Teenage Crush" as my favourites. Anyone who can incorporate lyrics containing "burgers and a milkshake" shows a good spirit of fun.