Ladytron / The Ghost

"Let's try this one again" suggests Ladytron guitarist Daniel Hunt moments before he and the rest of the group burst into fan favourite 'Playgirl'. His sentiment is understandable; it was at this point in May that sound problems began to seep their way into the band's otherwise excellent set, resulting in a premature finish and a few hundred disappointed fans. No such issues this time round though, as 'Playgirl' – much like the rest of the show – is a flawlessly delivered piece of electropop perfection. Needless to say, the added wait to see a full concert from these Liverpudlian cult heroes has only heightened the sense of anticipation that greets their arrival, and few could possibly leave dissatisfied by the end of the evening.

Unless, that is, they came for support act The Ghost, who appear so utterly unaware of the lukewarm reaction that they receive throughout their set that their over the top showmanship and absurd demands for crowd interaction soon turn from comical to annoying. After all, how the hell can an audience sing along to a song they have evidently never heard before? This, coupled with their basic and soulless electro-indie twattery, can only mean that The Ghost's set is largely a flop, and even the unnervingly polite (and patient) reaction of the crowd after each forgettable song cannot save this band from becoming a farce of Spinal Tap-proportions.

No such ridicule can be directed towards Ladytron though, who command an impressive stage presence despite their infamous quiet nature. Though the first half of the set is somewhat predictable – in fact, it is exactly the same as during their original show – it is exhilarating nonetheless, as new tracks 'Black Cats', 'Runaway' and 'Ghosts' fit in perfectly with beloved classics such as 'High Rise' and 'Seventeen', although the latter choices unavoidably receive the strongest responses.

Another notable element of the group's growing status as a live band is the formidable light show that accompanies each song. Imposing pillars of LED'ed excellence create one hell of an impressive visual that is at compelling odds with the (mostly) sombre posing of the band themselves. All members are on equally stunning form, with Helen Marnie's vocals in particularly good nick, and by the time the epic 'Destroy Everything You Touch' brings the house down around a furiously jiving crowd, one cannot help but imagine the potential that this curious act still has to fill. Ladytron return to the UK in November. Miss them at your peril.

FUTURE GIGS

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