The Magic Numbers

I turned up very early, and on tenterhooks, thinking that there would be a pretty big crowd expectantly gathering for The Magic Numbers...

...I think I was the only excited one there. I couldn't believe how few people seemed to be interested in the band. This was after Jo Whiley told everybody to turn up early for some Numbers magic! Ah well, maybe nobody listens to Radio 1??

They came to the stage to a tiny ripple of applause. One thing that you will notice about The Magic Numbers is the hair. Beards on the boys and long black hair on the girls (Angela and Michelle), but since Kings of Leon had a shave after their last album the music scene was short of some really good beard action.

There is a huge word-of-mouth buzz surrounding The Magic Numbers (obviously these words hadn't buzzed to all of the Doves fans) and it's quite easy to see why. The four-piece band filled Brixton Academy with a feel-good vibe and a wonderfully warm sound. The lead singer, Romeo, has a fantastic voice that suits the sublime three-part harmonies and 60's melodies down to the ground. Influences seem to be of the Beach Boys and Mamas and Papas variety. At times they really can induce a little shiver down the spine.

However, every so often I felt that they struggled in the echoey cauldron that is a half-full Brixton Academy. Many of the songs share the same format. A quiet start that builds into something bigger before changing direction and reaching a beautiful peak. The quieter parts of these songs were slightly spoilt by the general mumble of the crowd. "Hymn for Her" was a good example. A song with a gentle and unhurried start that was lost in the vast venue. Nonetheless, by the time it kicked in the attention of the crowd was with The Magic Numbers. This was the high point of the evening and it definitely provoked the loudest cheer. Dare I say it but I think I spotted a few people singing along! In a more intimate venue The Magic Numbers have the potential to move mountains!

Other highlights of the evening included their forthcoming single "Forever Lost" a slightly more uptempo number with radio airplay written all over it. "Love Me Like You" and "Love is Just a Game" were both well received and The Magic Numbers showed off their ability to connect with the audience. Everybody was feeling the love.

I advise you to catch The Magic Numbers as soon as you can. Before long they'll be back at Brixton Academy headlining their own show.

Just for the record, Doves were fantastic although beer means that my memory of the final half-an-hour is a bit hazy.

FUTURE GIGS