X-Box MyGig at Koko

X-Box MyGig at Koko

10 October, 2008
by: Jayrock

I’ll be brutally honest. Corporate sponsored gigs don't sit well with me. Whilst the premise of this one (competition winner gets to choose line up, invite her friends and feel uber smug and spoilt) is endearing enough, the glaring product (X-Box) promotion tends to taint the atmosphere somewhat. I have never 'played' an X-Box and I can't say I'm itching to start after being bombarded with logos and surrounded by the aforementioned product in the inappropriate setting of Koko. I do, however, raise a glass of my free alcohol to the sad losers sitting at home playing games and adding to the encroaching RSI in their wank hands. Thanks for footing the bill for my cider, chaps. Nice one.

First up are The Mules, a London quintet who had inspired me to dance like an abject fool on a bench at one of their gigs a long time ago. Needless to say, I'm looking forward to seeing them again. They're a quirky and very entertaining group, with an earthy, energetic and imaginative sound that encompasses the best elements of foot-stomping farm party and gypsy-ish punk. Rather eclectic and difficult to describe, then. All are accomplished musicians and none more so than the lead vocalist and drummer Ed Seed, who could probably infect you with a worrying amount of talent if you merely licked him.

Following in the 'perverse amounts of talent' vibe are Florence and the Machine. Florence is like some kind of Amazonian songstress with ADHD, in sixties hippy garb. Accompanied by a drummer, guitarist, keyboardist and in one song even a harpist, it's still clear that it's all about Florence. She jumps, she spins - she completely commands the stage. But it's her larger than life voice that ultimately steals the show. It's big, bold and gorgeous – like an epic war cry. At the beginning of her set I fear she may be a bit too shouty and in-your-face but as she launched into hits like 'Kiss with a Fist' and 'Little Donkey' it becomes evident that she is capable of paring things back when necessary. Put simply, this siren was born to perform.

CSS are who everyone was really there to see. Their reputation precedes them – I'd heard rumours of their festival shenanigans involving crazy dance routines and numerous costume changes. The crowd is amped. Thus, I was surprised to witness a rather lacklustre show from the Brazilian troupe. Don't get me wrong, it isn't bad, it's just not amazing. They pull off a substantial and professional set, with both new material and old favourites like 'Music is my Hot Hot Sex' and 'Off the Hook', all framed by some very cool shapes being thrown and an impressive light show. When they finish the set with crowd-pleasers 'Lets Make Love and Listen to Death From Above' and 'Alala' the throngs roar accordingly but to me it still seems rather flat and dispassionate with very little of the va va voom I'd been told to expect. Maybe being sexy isn't the only thing they're tired of.

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Jayrock