Show and tell

Earlier this year alt rockers (for want of a better description) Tantale headed to Oxfordshire to make a record in the same studio where classic albums by the likes of Radiohead were recorded and last Saturday evening the fruits of their labour, an album called The Known Elements, was released with a show at the Fermain Tavern.

Before the gig even started, word was that the show was going to be a sell-out and as Bright_Lights took to the stage the rumour certainly seemed to be true, as all three levels of the Tavern were busy with a crowd enthusiastic for live music.

This was my first opportunity to catch a full Bright_Lights set since their synth-infused reinvention earlier in the year and I wasn't sure what to expect.

But, as the band's tight and slick synth-rock-pop sound filled the Tav and people started to move at the front, it was clear this band have something to them.

While Fran Bacon's vocals seem to be the stuff of mild legend, and rightfully so as her voice is certainly impressive, for me it was the duo of Barney on the electronic drums and Ollie McVey behind the synths that most impressed as they locked into a rhythmic pulse that couldn't help but get into the heads of those listening.

For a band playing only their second gig in this format it was a very impressive outing and I can certainly see them becoming a crossover favourite on the island, if they aren't already.

Tantale made the unique choice of placing themselves, undeniably the night's headliners, in the middle of the bill and this seems to have been the right choice as, coming off the high that was Bright_Lights, the crowd was certainly ready for more upbeat and danceable sounds.

At this point I'm going to admit that on my first couple of listens I didn't entirely get Tantale's album and that the last few times I have seen them live I had been disappointed, as they seemed to have lost some of the spark that won them the battle of the bands a couple of years ago.

This, though, this was a band rejuvenated.

Playing through the entirety of The Known Elements, things suddenly seemed to fall into place and the band's infectious grooves and rhythms got the crowd moving as they packed up to the stage.

While Steve Wickins certainly played the frontman throughout the set, leading the between-song banter and interacting with the crowd with singalongs and guitar histrionics, guitarist Louis Le Couteur was on top understated form as well, his guitar parts forming the swirling background to the band's whole sound, which added an occasional psychedelic feel to their indie-alt-rock.

As the set went on the audience were getting into the music more and more, with a surprising number singing along to the songs and joining in with the call and response elements.

Tantale ended their set with a much called for encore which they dedicated to Aaron Fletcher (who, bass player Matt Smart explained, is recovering from a severe injury in hospital in the UK) and this announcement seemed to gain the band an even bigger reaction.

They left the crowd wanting more despite having played through an entire album's-worth of material.

Before and between the bands the sounds came from DJ Psylobster, whose recent rejuvenation was on fine display.

Making his own unique mix of music, which was unlike anything else on offer that night, it still seemed to complement the live acts perfectly and it was good to hear his sounds in a setting more familiar to me... and of course something by The Cramps getting played is always going to be a good call.

RentOClean had the unenviable position of following Tantale and closing the show and once again they showed that they have learned how to play in the face of less than favourable conditions.

A couple of songs into the set, the band were in full swing and the crowd were soon skanking, and later conga-ing, along.

Though I had to leave before RentOClean finished their set, they added a sense of loose fun and a real party atmosphere to close proceedings, which seemed to be a very fitting way to end a show like this.

The night was an undeniable triumph for all the bands involved, but especially Tantale.

Time to give The Known Elements another listen and see if my view has changed...