Bosnian Rainbows, @ Broadcast, 4 August

Despite his legendary status as a leading figure of both At the Drive-In and The Mars Volta, Bosnian Rainbows guitarist Omar Rodríguez-López is deliberately understated in his role within this relatively new project; he's focused and intense, eyes sealed closed as he shreds and solos, throwing psychedelic lead melodies over Nicci Kasper's oddball synth lines and Deantoni Parks' frighteningly precise drumming.

 

The stage is Teri Gender Bender's playground – the Les Butcherettes founder roams around, never remaining stationary, pulling shapes and caressing the low ceiling, smiling ecstatically as she howls and wails her way through Eli, the stirring opener to the band's strong debut release. Her presence is commanding, mesmerizing and weirdly spiritual. She's constantly switching gears, going from tender and passionate (especially during the dreamy, sorrowful Worthless) to fierce and possessed as the group thrash through the hard rock stomp of I Cry for You.

 

Though they toy with punk, prog and 60s psychedelia, the borrowed aspects of their sound merge beautifully. It might be surprising to some, but it's pop that rears its head more than anything here tonight. They're far from a nostalgia act, too; there's something distinctly post-modern about the way it all comes together. Bursting with aural colours, their music makes even more sense live than it does on record. Those who found themselves on the fence with the album would do well to catch them in the flesh. [Ross Watson]