Shiny Toy Guns @ Cabaret Voltaire

When dancey LA synth-rock band Shiny Toy Guns bring dance-y Swedish synthrock band The Sounds to a sold out show at Cabaret Voltaire, everyone expects action. The Sounds' (3/5) lead singer's husky voice oozes sultry sex appeal and warms up the crowd well. However, her distinctive tones often distract from the intricacies of an excellent group. In fact, the highlight is an instrumental closer, a two man electronic drum solo worth the ticket price alone. Shiny Toy Guns now have a high bar to reach, and a technical delay means they play twenty minutes late. But, when they do, the crowd goes wild. LED bars provide synchronised strobe effects, honed from years of touring. The band high-fives the audience, screaming into microphones and dancing like Paris Hilton on acid. The faithful pogo with the energy of true fanatics, a refreshing change to the stilted 'stand and stare' crowd at many concerts of late. Short and sweet, both bands exceed expectations. [Hamza Khan]