Support was from Druzok who kept my interested.

Johnny is a great front person. Whether playing solo or with a band, he effortlessly connects with audiences with a smidge of whit, self-deprecation and his casual charm. It helps that he creates great music too. Starting tonight off with a few acoustic songs, including his ‘Christmas Song’, ‘But once a year’ which demonstrates what a good voice he has. Following by a full-band show featuring songs from his great new album, Island People.

Supporting, was Maranta from Edinburgh, playing their first London show. While a bit electronic for my taste, I did nevertheless enjoy their set. Their first song especially stood out.

I can’t say I was pleased to find Qlowski cancelled late in the day. But they can’t help being ill. I have to admit, I considered giving the gig a miss but as I was already in London, I decided to go anyway. 

As I entered the room, there was a rather obvious table covered in a cloth in the centre of the room. I assumed it was a projector of something and didn’t give it a second though.

Opening the evening were Quade. I was even more impressed this time. I love their laid back math rock.

The reason for the cloth covered table became apparent when the lights went down and the only light in the room came from the table, now with two people twiddling knobs. I recently had a discussion with a friend about pit parties. I liked them, they didn’t. But this was the first ‘pit party’ where I wasn’t ‘at the front’. I simply couldn’t see anything and for me, live performances is sight and sound. I am afraid most of the set was like I was hearing my neighbours play their music loudly. Most of the set I felt disconnected from the music and I the performance didn’t work for me.

Towards the end of their set, two guys went on to the stage and accompanied cvcvc. These were Deliluh. Their singer then leaving the stage walking around the pit singing. They then continued into their own set.

Have to admit, I haven’t seen this before and liked this bit of the set. The extra instruments and new vocalist spiced up the set.

After the singer returned to the stage they just kept playing straight into their own set. I don’t think I have ever seen this before but it was a great way to transition between the two bands.

Deliluh’s own set mixed guitars, saxophones with electronics and samples to create layers of ambient and noise rock. It was all pretty good and I would happily catch another performance.

Starting the evening was MAL, a member of Illuminati Hotties touring band playing her own stuff. It was a bit error strewn, but pleasant enough.

Ducks Ltd were the second support. Clearly enjoying touring with the band on their UK leg. They had a 90s style jangly indie pop sound. Sarah came on stage for a fun song towards the end of the set.

Tonight the Illuminati Hotties played their second sold-out night at the Moth Club. With Sarah and band clearly relaxed, joking along with the crowd and getting everyone into the party mood. Everything that I found so good about them at SXSW was still there. Brilliant fun.

Set List

• Joni: LA’s No. 1 Health Goth
• Shape Of My Hands
• Knead
• Threatening Each Other re: Capitalism
• Cheap Shoes
• (You’re Better) Than Ever
• u v v p
• Pool Hoping
• Mmmoooaaaaayaya
• PPle Plzr
• I Wanna Keep Your Dad
• Pressed 2 Death
• ?????
• Freeppls

First up was Shady Nasty and Bad Waitress. I am not going to give any opinions on them because were I was standing at the front, the sound was poor. The Marshall amp was clearly set to 11 and right in front of me. All I could hear was strong bass.

I think the bassist for Ultra Q must have turned down the bass as it was more bearable for the rest of the evening. Hailing for Oakland and heading to the Great Escape. They didn’t stand out. Askewing the current fad of post-punk for something early 2000’s US rock.

Grungy Kills Birds upped the energy level. Lead singer, Nina Ljeti, immediately jumps around the stage with manic amounts of energy taking me back to the heydays of grunge. I think everyone in the room was left impressed by the band’s energy.

Closing the evening where the much touted Gustaf – and I can see why. Hailing from Brooklyn and having toured with Bodega are spoken in the same context. There are some similarities. The fall into the art-punk category. Post-punk with Talking Heads vibes, with singer, Lydia Gammill, blending music with performance. This isn’t the gothy post-punk that is the current vibe. These are tracks that get everyone dancing. They are really worth catching. Great fun and with good music.

I had to leave before they finished their set to catch the my train. I made it my 30 seconds. If I had missed it, it would have been a 45 minute wait. Five bands, great value for money. But the few minutes they were running late, meant I had to miss some of the set of the band I had come to see.