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Before the Dust Settles is a series of instant gig reviews, written immediately after the show and limited to 200 words.

Band: Lush
Venue: Oslo, Hackney
Date: 11th April, 2016

This post comes with a spoiler alert and those of you who are planning to see Lush over the next few months and don't want to know the make-up of the set should hit "back" right now.

Tonight was a big deal as it was nearly 20 years since Lush's last show and people were crammed in to this 400-capacity venue to see what was effectively a warm-up for a world tour. After a low-key entrance with Miki making a comment about her hair not being red anymore and telling us to "get over it", they launched into 'DeLuxe' - one of their very finest tunes. It's a great opening; the band sound like they haven't been away and they proceed to play a 20-song set compiled from all of their records, including the fine new single 'Out Of Control'.
Having said that, the Split album gets the most attention, as do the early EPs (Scar/Mad Love), but they only played 'Ladykillers' from their Britpop period. It felt like they may be using this tour to re-position their legacy away from Britpop towards the post-mbv, post-Cocteaus sound of their earlier records. I didn't expect the set to be skewed this way, so I was pleasantly surprised, and my three favourite moments were that opening 'Deluxe', the main closer 'Sweetness and Light', and the strobe-heavy 'Leaves Me Cold' as part of the first of two encores.
I left the packed sweaty venue with a smile on my face, delighted that they have returned. Now go and see them!

Someone has posted the setlist here and much of the video footage has made it to youtube.

Before the Dust Settles is a series of instant gig reviews, written immediately after the show and limited to 200 words.

Band: Teeth of the Sea
Venue: Electrowerkz, Islington
Date: 13th February, 2016

This London based four piece are surely one of the most innovative acts around. We know what to expect by now – trumpets, synths, flying-Vs and plenty of drumming – but they still manage to extend and develop their sound. Some vocal trickery which turns the voice into a distorted scream is the fresh element tonight which adds to the intensity.
Most of the music is drawn from their impressive Highly Deadly Black Tarantula album which emerged late last year, and the brooding, ominous nature of that release is well reflected in their performance.
The last time I saw Teeth of the Sea in this venue they were pumping out beats for most of the set. Their blend of krautrock, techno and dystopian soundtracks were ably supported by impressive lights. This time around the lights are more subtle and there is a steady fog of dry ice. The appearance may look softer but the music is no less intense.

Before the Dust Settles is a series of instant gig reviews, written immediately after the show and limited to 200 words.

Band: Eleanor Friedberger, Andrew Wasylyk
Venue: Moth Club, Hackney
Date: 3rd February, 2016

It would be difficult to talk about this show and not mention the Moth Club, which is a restored social club on a side street opposite Hackney Empire. With its sparkling gold-leaf style interior and classic cabaret layout it suits tonight’s two performers perfectly.

Andrew Wasylyk is a musician from Dundee who you may know from the Hazey Janes, and he plays a well-received set of original songs, alternating between piano and guitar. Musically we are in modern easy listening territory, his songs recalling the recent work of Jim O’Rourke or even John Grant.

Of course, everyone is here for Eleanor, and she plays a solo acoustic set focusing on her new record New View, but not afraid of her back catalogue either. There is even a burst of the Fiery Furnaces ‘Widow City’ in there. The new material sounds good like this - it’s a little bit less polished than on the record but that is not a criticism – but ultimately it’s the cracking tunes like ‘When I Knew’ and ‘Stare at the Sun’ that stay with you afterwards. It was a delight to see her in such an intimate setting.

Before the Dust Settles is a series of instant gig reviews, written immediately after the show and limited to 200 words.

Band: The Drink, Nervous Conditions
Venue: The Blue Moon, Cambridge
Date: 30th January, 2016

Maybe there is something to be said for catching a band at the end of a two-week tour, because The Drink were in absolutely stunning form tonight. Following on from a well received set from Nervous Conditions - an energetic act who take their cues from early 80s The Fall but add skronky sax to great effect - the three piece focused on material from their most recent album Capital.

They are essentially a indie-rock trio, but the vocal melodies and guitar playing of Dearbhla Minogue reveal a huge folk influence, and a couple of times they factor in interesting rhythms touching on Motorik grooves or even Afrobeat.

The Blue Moon is a tiny venue and I swear the performance area is slightly down a slope from the audience, so if you could actually see the band you were lucky. The bass player had the best lighting because he was near the fire escape.
Also, is it a "thing" to chant "f---ing hell" at the end of a band's set now? That's what both these acts got tonight.

Before the Dust Settles is a series of instant gig reviews, written immediately after the show and limited to 200 words.

Band: This Is The Kit
Venue: Portland Arms, Cambridge
Date: 27th January, 2016

In my head This Is The Kit are a bit of a secret. This is illogical because the last time I saw them they played to thousands at Alexandra Palace, as guests of The National, and tonight's show - in a 200 capacity venue - is sold out.
 This time around they are a trio, the ever present Katie Stables joined by Rozi Plain on bass and Jamie Whitby-Coles on drums, and together they make a wonderfully minimal version of modern folk music.
 The Bashed Out album dominates the set, and reminds us just how good a record it is, and we are also treated to a couple of new songs. The capacity audience never uttered a word when the band played, but when Katie rambled - rather endearingly it has to be said - between songs she got plenty of interaction. There was a light hearted battle over which air con unit should be left on - crowd or band - with the crowd getting their way.
 Every time I've seen This Is The Kit they have been excellent and tonight was no exception, and it was an added bonus to see them in such an intimate setting after so long.