ESBEN AND THE WITCH
http://www.myspace.com/esbenandthewitch
Hypnotic, ethereal, passionate, ambitious: all words that can be used to describe the sound this Brighton outfit conjure. At times it echoes the scorched blues of The Duke Spirit if possessed by the blurred buzz of Deerhunter (who they've supported); at others propulsive percussion clatters beneath the most beautiful sweeps and swoons. In short, it's a lot like not a lot else we've heard lately, and we're pretty excited to see them live. 'Nightmare pop' says their MySpace. They might be onto something there.

TIGERS THAT TALKED
http://www.myspace.com/tigersthattalked
Leeds foursome that impressed greatly with recent EP 'Black Heart Blue Eyes', TTT are sure to provoke comparisons with Brit acts Grammatics and Fanfarlo, and also Arcade Fire - it's their combining of heartbroken indie-pop and enchanting violin that does it. Frontman Jamie Williams has the kind of cracked vocals that convey emotion perfectly - don't be surprised if his band is soundtracking memorable moments of your life before long. A debut album is forthcoming on Bad Sneakers (Wild Beasts, Old Romantic Killer Band).

YOUVES
http://www.myspace.com/youves
And now for something completely different... Youves hail from the midlands and deliver the sort of sprightly art-punk that made The Faint so popular before they disappeared up their own arses, albeit with a greater edge of Black Eyes-oddness which we're calling 'delicious'. They'll have you strutting out a show in your fanciest boots to begin with, but writhing in a pit come their sweaty climax. Maybe. One certainty: you'll enjoy the hell out of their set, which is sure to draw upon recent Holy Roar release 'Cardio-Vascular', whcih features the awesomely addictive 'Aladdin's Rave'.

SWIMMING
http://www.myspace.com/swimmingband
Nottingham newcomers building more than a head of steam - the buzz that's growing around them is becoming quite the dizzying cacophony, and rightly so, as their music touches upon the grandest shoegaze, the more out-there aspects of Doves and the quirk-laden experimentation-indie of Clap Your Hands Say Yeah and Mercury Rev. "A sonic collage of warped harmonic noise," says The Fly in their 4.5/5 review of SWIMMInG's debut album 'The Fireflow Trade'.

FRANKIE AND THE HEARTSTRINGS
http://www.myspace.com/frankietheheartstrings
Creating a hell of a stir in the North East and beyond, with a huge clamour and burgeoning reputation after just eight shows, Frankie and the Heartstrings are a longtime group of friends citing The Fall, Yummy Fur, Velvet Underground, Altered Images, Orange Juice and The Smiths, amongst their influences, while the gang mentality of Dexys and a love of '50s rock 'n' roll also looms large. A debut single is forthcoming.

- - -

Notting Hill Arts Club, 4pm-8pm (9pm maybe), free entry, drinks offers