New Young Pony Club

First things first, then: we really need to address this new rave thing, ‘cause that’s what you’re thinking as soon as you see the New Young Pony Club name.

For reasons fairly unknown, NYPC have somehow been dragged into this vacuous scene – if rave is an early ‘90s sound, then whoever thought this quintet were suitable for inclusion is ten or so years off. Yep, it’s clear from seeing them tonight that aside from singer Tahita Bulmer wearing Day-Glo rave fashion, the music makes subtle nods, winks and nudges towards post-punk bands such as Talking Heads and New Order. There is barely any rave here as we know it, just the sound of a band that used to be an interesting support act finally raising its game up and out of the toilet gig circuit.

Koko is sold out, and this is a great testament to NYPC’s appeal: at last they have been recognised for Bulmer’s sassy and sultry nonchalant vocals, Igor Volk’s catchy disco bass and Lou Hayter’s glittery electro disco-powered bleeps. NYPC deliver their hits, ‘Ice Cream’ (introduced as “an icey and creamy song”) and ‘The Bomb’, as well as keeping things fresh with tracks like ‘F.A.N.’, lifted from their forthcoming album Fantastic Playroom.

Throughout the show Bulmer keeps the crowd enthused and entertained via a combination of a bubbly presence and the physical act of throwing herself round the stage. At one point she demands that the audience dance: “I bloody well want to see you move your arses.” People listen and obey, and by the end of the set people are not only dancing but moshing to ‘The Get Go’. It’s a bittersweet song to finish the set with; like deep-running water, its force takes you with it, and the harmonious “aah” repetition of the song stays with you long after it ends.

Everything points to NYPC being the sound of now, and this summer seems set up to belong to them. The new rave thing? That belongs to a fashion that NYPC are musically oblivious to, mercifully.