The Research

"Parlez vous Franglais" anyone?

Stand up Mono Taxi, a 50/50 amalgam of French and British unity that immediately dispels any notion of cross channel animosity.

With a diverse range of influences from either side of the water (Serge Gainsberg, Elastica, Stereolab), Mono Taxi are the type of band who demand your attention at all times, whether it be the leering masses drooling over blonde chanteuse Ellice Williams, or the way they switch from ballsy, angular, stutter-punk ('Sex Guide') to poignant melody ('Kind Of Better') via tumultuous powerchord thrash ('Nothing Wrong With Us') like their lives depended on it. Which naturally, I suppose, they do.

The Research meanwhile are an entirely different proposition altogether. It's like watching Rod, Jane and Freddy for the indie generation. A full scale melee of cuddly pop tunes welded together by some of the most incitable lyrics this side of Jarvis Cocker's battered satchel.

Their tales of unrequented love gone wrong coupled with Russell (The Disaster)'s keyboard gymnastics make compelling viewing, even if songs like 'Lonely Hearts Still Beat The Same' and 'The Way You Used To Smile' are just about as low on the despairometer as it's possible to get.

Sarah Williams and Georgia Lashbrook's harmonies make even being dumped sound disturbingly angelic, and even when Russell loses his balance and his hat whilst attempting a remarkable solo during 'C'mon Chameleon', the girls still manage to keep a straight face even if the rest of the Social is in stitches.

By the end of the set it feels like the best tea party in the world...ever, with just the right mixture of sweet and sour delights to whet even the most unsavoury of appetites.