Rosco

Opposite the Hotel and The Blo’ Boys have overlapping line-ups and…it’s not really possible to describe them adequately. It’s the kind of thing that sounds really really stupid in print, but they’re one of the funniest things I’ve ever seen. The Rules(1 to 12 – no badgers), the Apple and Blackcurrant song, a Mole up a Pole, the avant-garde donkey, a Dead Fish Playing Live… It’s surreal and ridiculous and absurd and wonderful.

And then theWhiteTRASH – line-up sorted, fully-formed and ready to take over the world with beautiful and perceptive lyrics combined with hard, grunge-tinged punk rock. Loud, but never sacrificing substance to noise, with Siouxie and the Banshees vocals and a fine line in posing and pouting. Front-girl Sarah has amazing stage-presence to match her amazing voice, dancing like a girl possessed while the bassist and guitarists throw shapes and fling themselves about as though born to do so. And it’s only their fifth gig… keep your eyes out for these guys. They’re ace.

And finally Rosco, who ended the night beautifully. Polished, diamond hard power-pop with samples, stage presence, libido and attitude. Watching them on a small stage you have the urge to paint the stadium in around them – they play as though they’re already doing huge venues and performing to festival crowds. They’re a band who you can imagine sitting through the rest of TOTP for to catch their first chart hit, and with an NME/Kerrang! tour approaching that day might not be too far off. Catch them in Ipswich at the Live and Let Live on tuesday 20th August.