The Pattern Theory

So much for Monday night being the most laidback soiree of the week. With the soundchecks being punctuated by something that can only be described as a scene from the Keystone Cops culminating in 12-year-old gangsters hiding behind the venue bar, this was never going to be your average evening.

And so it wasn't. Leeds-based instrumentalist quartet The Pattern Theory may have taken an age before showtime to perfect their sound, but by the epic lullaby of 'Fields' a breathtaking sigh of relief had ungulfed the room; well worth the wait then and even though some artists would scoff at the fine intricacies in the way The Pattern Theory strive for perfection, their sound, occasionally mixing Boards Of Canada atmospherics with a sense of drama more recently associated with Los Planetos Del Agua or Epic 45. With elements of post,math and even dance-tinged rock in their repertoire, this band are definitely walking the walk outside of the regulation box.

For i concur (pictured) tonight is all about realisation. For starters, one gets the impression that they don't quite realise just how good a band they can be. Forget technical proficiency or any other muso terminology you care to mention, each and every one of the seven songs making up tonight's set veers off in a number of directions not listed in any rulebook. Yet despite the ecstatic response of those fortunate enough to witness only their second show outside of their hometown, the band seem a little nervous between songs, almost overwhelmed by the adulation.

They needn't be, as there will no doubt be plenty more occasions of a similar nature in the not too distant future. Currently celebrating the fact their recent EP highlight 'Decimal Places' has chosen to appear on next month's latest Dance To The Radio compilation, i concur also find themselves in the healthy position of having labels fighting over them lik in-laws at a wedding.

It's little wonder too, as projected forthcoming single 'Build Around Me' merges the Twilight Sad's epic wall of sound with a poignant melody not too far from Six By Seven's earliest offerings. Likewise, new song 'Captors' - making its first ever live appearance this evening - swoops and lands like Of Montreal skydiving errantly into Stereolab's 'French Disko'.

By the end of the set, frontman Tim Hann finally cracks a smile, the over-excitable fruit machine in the corner of the room pays out again and everyone disperses into the night, regaling tales of quite possibly the most eventful Monday night in Nottingham this year.

Photograph by Kevin Petch