Delphic

French imprint Kitsune Maison have been responsible for some of the most groundbreaking dance-orientated music this side of the Millennium. Mostly specialising in all things electronica, their compilations have proved pivotal in establishing the likes of Hot Chip, Crystal Castles and Simian Mobile Disco to a wider audience, while also throwing the odd guitar-fixated spanner in the works (Wolfmother!) every now and then for good measure. Tonight's joint headline show, as part of the Kitsune Tour should go some way towards enhancing their reputation even further, not to mention that of the artists on display.

First up are local three-piece Ronika, whose electro candy-pop is focused around the glamorous singer of the same name. While their twenty-minute set is quite pleasurable in places, it's hard to distinguish anything unique between her output and that of any of the La Rouxs, Little Boots or Marinas you'd care to mention. Nevertheless, 'Do Or Die' is a biting slab of defiant disco that would probably eat the aforementioned trio for breakfast and spit out the morsels one by one, so by no means dismiss them as gatecrashers to the emperor's fancy dress ball just yet.

The last time DiS caught up with Two Door Cinema Club was in front of a handful of bemused revellers at this year's V Festival. Out of place for sure, but certainly not out of their depth. Since then they've recruited a live drummer, which adds a ferocious bite to their distinctive angular punk you can actually dance to. Inbetween songs, frontman Alex Trimble makes quips about a friend in the audience's birthday ("buy him a soft drink as he's driving, we'll take your beers!") and the fact that the last time they played here hardly anyone turned up ("thanks Nottingham, there's at least 1000% more of you here than our last show at the Bodega!"). While his post-band future as an after dinner speaker may be assured, Two Door Cinema Club are focused on the here and now and with an armoury of tunes like the elasticated 'Something Good Can Work' and perky 'Undercover Martyn', their forthcoming as-yet-untitled debut album could be one of 2010's gems.

Mancunians Delphic know a thing or two about history. They have one of their own for starters, having almost broken through a few years back under the guise of Snowfight In The City Centre, an earnest if predictable melancholic guitar-based inference. Since then, they've taken the scenic route via clubland to re-evaluate and ultimately re-invent themselves and judging by tonight's set, that hiatus and subsequent change in direction has worked a treat.

Logistical connections will no doubt ensure comparisons with New Order and Doves ensue, and certainly in the case of the closing 'Counterpoint', it's hard to get away from the former's influence, particularly in the bass sound. However, the five songs that go before represent a diverse collage of styles and genres that, in theory, probably shouldn't be utilised together, yet in practice they form a perfect blend of cross-pollination. You want Underworld jamming with U2? Check current single 'This Momentary'. How about 808 State riding bareback with Phoenix steering the reins? Forthcoming 45 'Halcyon' leads the way there. While there have been many attempts in the past to fuse the two hybrids of dance and rock, most have fallen away by the wayside, mostly due to an inherent confusion that often results in trying too hard. Delphic on the other hand give the impression that they're teachers rather than students of such cross functional working. Could this be the moment where Jack became the Master of all trades? We'd certainly like to think so...