Minor Planet

Headlining the Roadhouse *above a number of similar electro-fused bands tonight, *Minor Planet *are aiming to prove to the healthy turn-out that their take on electronica, pop and percussive beats is the best thing since *Nylon Pylon *first assaulted the ‘in’ music crowd in Manchester last year. And judging by the keen and attentive A&R men dotted about it seems the redolent atmosphere can only rise as a dramatic opening to *_‘Inside:Ouside’ _introduces the band onto the stage and the funky laid back swing calmly builds up behind vocalist Suzanne’s sultry croons and teasing hip swings round the mic.

Despite a short set (possibly due to the late start) MP display a brilliant mix of styles, incorporating drum n bass, funk, electronica and pop into the set, the dnb-led follow-up, _‘Scratchin’ At the Walls’ _showing off a musically competent band that with the slight distorted guitar jabs know how to rock it out as well.

‘Swallows and Amazons’, the title track off their latest demo release slows down the pace slightly with all eyes focussed on the bass/vocals melody before the swirly link brings out the brass (a trumpet and trombone) for a warm laid back groove that opens up Suzanne and Ben (keyboards)’s vocal harmonies brilliantly. The trumpet solo that follows is pulled off well and the cheers and whistles that sound as the song finishes reassure me that I wasn’t the only one impressed with how well the Planet are live.

After the rather epic-sounding ‘Sleep’, the band whip through a jagged and well-played cover of the *Knight-Rider *theme tune – probably my favourite track of the night – complete with the brass covering the melody-line. Awesome!

After the whole band convene back to the stage for ‘Acidland’, a song that ends with a sample of a man talking about “Alice” entering a world of pot, LSD and free love (!) they leave the stage only to return for a ten minute epic version of _‘Rockaway’ _(off the aforementioned CD). It’s a smooth, maybe over-emotive track that glides through soaring brass and tinkly piano-backed harmonies before an improvised ad lib ends the set.

Observing bands in a live setting can often add something to the music that a CD lacks and tonight *Minor Planet *have definately brought something out and introduced their capabilities for improving and improvising songs in different styles. I personally would like to see them building on the eclectic and obscure drum n bass elements that give their sound that extra kick but on the strength of tonight this is an act who’ve only touched on their true capabilities.