MØ@XØYØ

Off to see a Danish singer who I saw a few months ago at Latitude with two 5-a-side mates one current one retired. We meet for a swift one at Old Street tube then head off to nearby Xoyo to be immediately mistaken for touts, 3 dodgy looking 50 year olds, sorry Pete but you are nearly, amongst a lot of young short girls, before we stride in and past the very friendly and also short bouncer. We have a cursory look downstairs and although I usually take the time to give performers a chance as they have made the effort to make music for us we only last a few minutes watching Sekuoia who's one guy and a synth and doesn't grab any of us. We go upstairs to drink our shorty cans and take in the atmosphere as it's Nick's first time here and to catch up on life in general.

Then downstairs to watch Ballet School who are fronted by a very energetic woman with a bass player (Pete and I debate whether it's a bass or lead guitar as looks like latter and sounds like former) and drummer. All fairly androgynous and both look and music hark back to the 80s. We throw various influences out there from Clare Grogan, Kate Bush, Depeche Mode, Cindy Lauper and Debbie Harry. None quite fit but you probably get the drift of sound and vision. Pete sums up best with early Simple Minds quirkiness. Poppy discoey electronica without pretensions which goes down pretty well with the kids and us three on our little stage at the back. Nicely warmed up we head to the bar again which is emptying out fast and deserted by the time we leave it to go catch the star attraction.

MØ plays in a similar genre of early 80s disco dance electronic indieness with more edge than the support and gees the crowd up a lot more. They put on a good set which at times hits rock but mainly of the moment 80s club sounds (at least I assume it is of the moment). MØ herself throws herself around the stage in front of a seriously bright and constant strobe which burns our retinas and her floppy haired guitarist goes off on a few adventures of his own. They certainly get my feet going although as on a raised platform at the back I opt to stay put and do more shuffling than dancing rather than hit the dance floor which is pretty rammed with pretty young things. The set seems pretty short and they only encore for a short while before we're tossed out into the mild night air and a trip together on the Northern Line. We're all agreed that you can't argue with seeing two decent bands in a trendy joint for a tenner each. It's obvious why it was sold out.

Brand placement or self advertising or a bit of both