Sky Larkin @ King Tut's, 26 Jan

After appearing in just about every ‘Tips for 2009’ feature, now Sky Larkin have to show the newly-intrigued that they’re worthy of such early accolades. With a hook-laden debut album to show off, it seems a simple remit, but tonight the Leeds indie-rockers can’t do enough to move a crowd thinned by rival big-profile gigs (Of Montreal and Bloc Party are both in town) and by deserting fans of support acts Copy Haho and Pulled Apart By Horses. That said, it's clearly an unusually average gig by a band capable of better, rather than chancers punching above their weight. One of Two is still a taut rock highlight, while Beeline is the kind of exhilarating three-minute pop that Ash wrote back when they were young 'uns. But too many songs fall flat, until a bouncy/creepy encore of Keepsake’s merry-go-round melody ends things on a fantastically, but somewhat aptly, awkward note. [Chris Buckle]

The Skinny previewed this Sky Larkin performance here.