The nights proceeding were opened by the UK’s post-punk answer to The Arcade Fire, Love Ends Disaster! Having heard allot in recent months about them and then seen them perform in Firebug earlier in the summer my expectations for another great set were quite high and definitely met. Any mention of the band seems peppered with comparisons to some of the best bands around today and rightly so. From the anthemic ‘Suzanne’ to the set ending ‘Ladder’ it’s clear this is a band that are on their way to something big, if there is any justice it won’t be long.

Following where the Leicester math-rock band Minnaars. Sounding like a musical marriage of Foals and Forward Russia the bands set was almost cut short when the guitar lead took a beating from their singers’ feet but they managed to carry on. They would definitely win the prize for the most talkative band of the night, constantly cracking jokes with the not particularly responsive crowd.... if there was a prize. With the majority of tonight’s bands being more guitar based Minnaars may have not been a clear choice for a support slot but they played a solid set (equipment problems aside).

As the third band of the night Dananananaykroyd came onstage carnage broke out. By far the heaviest band onstage tonight they straddle the divide between Punk Rock and Hardcore with ease. The band has 6 members including a second drummer/singer and two guitarists who contribute to the overall powerhouse that is Dananananaykroyd. Their unusual name by the way should be pronounced like the batman theme tune... Being the second time I have seen them I was prepared for the onslaught of volume and noise, some of the crowd were clearly not, but soon got into the jumping spirit. Spending almost as much time in the crowd as on the stage the band certainly had the crowd surfing, fast moving audience eating out their palms for the duration of their set. At points the performance looked like it would disintegrate but didn’t. Considering the speed and energy being put into their songs they are an incredibly tight and cohesive unit and considering how much publicity the band are currently receiving it won’t be long before they move out of support slots and onto their own tours. Quite how they will muster the energy to play a headline slot I don’t know but judging from the amount they out into this supporting performance but I’m guessing they will find a way, and probably do a great job. The crowd loved them and I can confidently say so I can see why. Definitely worth watching, just keep an eye out for crowd surfers ( from the crowd and the stage).

By the time the main event arrive onstage its clear the crowd are ready, and after some technical issues where sorted Johnny foreigner exploded onto the few hundred people assembled to digest the Birmingham three piece. Fast becoming a force to reckon with the band has a constant tour schedule that pays off in their live performance. Sounding somewhere between Sonic Youth, Pavement and The Pixies with some excellent vocal over lapping and synth additions they take the greatest elements of the aforementioned and while sounding at once familiar manage to be a genuinely interesting and original band where so many others seem to settle for being ok. Playing quite near to their home town they had quite a few of their friends from home present which made for some great mid set banter and received plenty of laughter and embarrassed looks from the rest of the crowd. Playing a good mixture of singles and album material alongside a new track the band kept everyone happy, anyone who wasn’t certainly did a good job of masking it! As the last song began some members of Dananananaykroyd took to the stage to assist and bought the night to a great end.

Having seen the band twice already this summer, Once at Sumo on Braunstone gate and then during the Offset Festival in London I can honestly say they don’t disappoint and get better each time.

Words and photos by Ollie Millington