Huw Stephens Introducing Tour

As possibly the BBC's last bastion of broadcasting genuine new talent, Huw Stephens is slowly carving out a reputation for himself as a voice for the underground. Certainly anyone who's witnessed his endorsed line-ups at last year's Latitude or Reading & Leeds can rest assured that he isn't one to be swayed by current scenes or major label unit shifting. Tonight's bill is also one of the most eclectic to have graced this city for some time, and even at this early stage of the year, one that is unlikely to be surpassed in terms of quality over the ensuing eleven months.

Late additions and openers The Airborne Toxic Event find themselves in the unlikely position of going onstage at the ridiculously early time of 8:30. They're also without doubt the main attraction here and, without being disrespectful to the other two bands on the bill, the reason why the Bodega is literally packed to the rafters. With current single 'Sometime After Midnight' playlisted on every daytime radio station both local and national you care to mention, and a growing reputation as one of the most exciting live bands on the planet at this minute, their ascent to bigger and better things is assured. Tonight's set, largely culled from their self-titled debut, doesn't disappoint, and they also throw in a surprisingly rambustious cover of Q Lazarus' 'Goodbye Horses' mid-set. The fact that nearly half the audience leave after their set tells its own story really, and you can bet your bottom dollar on the fact their next visit to Nottingham won't be in a venue quite so intimate.

Pulled Apart By Horses meanwhile have also been creating their own waves in quite different circles. Again, their must-see live show has been something of a revelation since blowing the cobwebs off several of the summer's latter festivals, and even though tonight's set lasts little more than twenty minutes, the lasting effects for those in the room will be permanent, mark my words. Although singer/guitarist Tom Hudson is the focal point of attention, his allies are equally animated to the point where any one of them - or should that be all three? - could qualify as the band's front person. Their set encompasses everything from stage invasions, inter-band and audience moshpits that culminate in celebratory high-fives between all and sundry and a clutch of songs like 'The Lighthouse' and ace 45 'I Punched A Lion In The Throat' which suggests their onstage antics are anything but a unique sales gimmick.

Anyone expecting proceedings to quieten down with the arrival of fellow Leeds outfit Sky Larkin are in for a pleasant surprise. Occasionally labelled as 'twee', the trio stride onstage with the confidence of three heavyweight champions at the height of their powers. While forthcoming album The Golden Spike should dispel any doubts about Sky Larkin once and for all, their live show has also progressed into a beefier, and dare I say it, heavier force than anyone could previously expected. Katie Harkin's guitar skills come to the fore just as much as her lyrical assertations on the likes of 'Beeline' and 'Fossil I' while 'Somersaults' is surely destined to be one of 2009's underground anthems. It has been quite a long wait for Sky Larkin's return both in terms of recorded output and on the live stage but this evening proves it's been well worth it.

All in all, one of the best gigs of 2009 so far; I guess it remains to be said that you 'had to be there', and in time, many, many more than the 200 punters crammed into the Bodega's homely upstairs room will claim they were.

Sky Larkin photo by David Ryle.