Friendly Fires - Adelphi - 26th September 2008

Confetti sprinkles over the crammed audience as Friendly Fires launch into a charged performance of 'On Board'. After a long half hour of technical delays the band are finally on stage and the crowd are loving it. Ed Macfarlane caresses the microphone, leading the mesmerised mass of indie kids like the pied piper, the music exuding from him as he sways and contorts in true Curtis fashion. Their self titled debut album entered the charts at a disappointing 38 but the band don't seem to care, they're lost in the rhythm, as is the entire Adelphi sold out gig, packed to the rafters. 'I want to see some sensual dancing', Ed coos, anybody else would be heckled but his arrogance exceeds him, and the crowd willingly obey, the addictive introductory beats of 'In the Hospital' have them oscillating wildly. 'Nothing is left, only a memory', more confetti and the crowds gone, lost in the magic of his voice, 'a glitch in my mind until you come back to me'. 'Paris' is a winner, 'Jump in My Pool' an overload of sound, colour, movement, the whole room a kaleidoscope of electro, indie goodness as they fuel through the trajectory of their set list. The only disappointment is that it has to end. Pointing to a skinny kid in a tartan trilby 'This ones for you', Ed commemorates finishing with 'Lovesick' and leaving the audience craving more. Perhaps one of the most understated bands of the year, lost amongst the mass of adolescent drones; lacking in talent, ambition or brains, that seem to be pouring out of the indie music scene lately, Friendly Fires are going the distance, breaking boundaries, loving the music and I've got a feeling this is the beginning of something astounding.
Caitlin Middleton