The Shins

You can literally feel the anticipation in the air... or at least you would if you weren't melting in the intense heat! I am among a crowd of around 200 punters (at a guess), waiting to see one of the best bands of the moment in a climate which can only be described as 'bloody hot'. But we don't care - any moment now, Albuquerque's finest are gonna be onstage.

The Shins amble stagewards looking a little, well, tired to be honest with you. As they step up, keyboardist Marty announces that they're going to "Rock the place to its very foundations!" Considering that it looks like it was built in the 12th century, this may not be too difficult a challenge. Seconds later, the band are ripping into a perfect rendition of their Kinks-esque track 'Know Your Onion'. They're having fun onstage, with banter between themselves and the crowd between songs, but their sound seems somewhat lost up in the rafters due to the strange acoustics of the venue. Still, this is a battle that all bands at the Arts Centre have to face, and they certainly don't let it get them down, proceeding to produce startling versions of tracks like 'Chutes Too Narrow' and an almost lazy acoustic version of 'Young Pilgrim'; they sound as amazing live as they do on record.

Just before the band's last song they start to seriously rock out in an almost surreal jamming session. Throughout this five- to six-minute event my eyes are tranfixed on bassist Dave Hernandez, who with each passing chord becomes more intensed and focused, eyes shut and lips pursed. I can't take my eyes off him - he looks like he's about to explode!

Closing out with 'So Says I', the band give everything that they've got left, providing us with a truly great 'wooooo' moment. As the crowd departs after the obligitory encore, you can see the sweat dripping off each and every one of them, not from grooving to the band (I have seen more dancing at a Belle & Sebastian gig!), but from the pure uncomfort of the heat in the room. Then again, not one of us cares - for a brief moment in time, we had a real slice of New Mexico in Colchester, and it was amazing!

Image courtesy of Lisa Nola