Electric Guest, Manchester Ruby Lounge, 29th April 2013 9/10

Sometimes finally hearing one of your favourite albums live is a disappointment: perhaps it's easier to concentrate at home than stood in a venue with a sound system with more volume than transparency. I've loved Mondo since it was released last year: it's a must hear, particularly if you've grown impatient for Broken Bells' sophomore album. Yet Electric Guest is an act you simply have to hear live to appreciate fully. If you have the chance to catch one of their shows, don't squander it.

The music is heavily influenced by the 70's and 80's and is essentially escapism- there's no danger of this review being sidetracked into an academic analysis of hidden meanings (although it may well be a critique of the superficiality of modern society). The biggest influence wasn't present tonight: Brian Burton, aka Danger Mouse, whose production on the album is a key part of its appeal. He lured Asa Taccone to Los Angeles, and whilst I missed some of the gloss of the studio sound last night, he's key to Electric Guest's easy on the ear slickness.

If I have a reservation, it's that I missed the harmonised vocals of the album (despite the presence of a backing singer at the gig). Sometimes the falsetto range of Asa's voice was a little insecure, but this may have reflected the fact that it was the first night of their tour. It's in fact a wonder that he managed to sing so strongly overall, given the amazingly energetic dancing throughout. He's a highly charismatic frontman, and I couldn't take me eyes off his movement and facial expressions. My favourite song, Troubleman, was like much of the set utterly absorbing: the only thing that mattered was the present and joyful moment. The album has only 10 songs, and the set was extended to an hour with some new numbers, which didn't diverge from their earlier style.

Asa was extremely warm and friendly towards the audience (I was amused by his story about the bemusement he was met with when trying to tip in a Manchester restaurant). The band sounded tight, the tunes catchy, but this was above all memorable as a shared experience. The audience made up for its small size with enthusiasm: even the band was surprised by our knowledge of the words, and as well as much singing along there was clapping (especially during Waves), and above all dancing. I felt so privileged to experience music making of this level amongst maybe 50 others, from the front of an intimate venue: those in the know must spread the word about this American explosion of happiness.

Set List

• Under the Gun
• Waves
• Amber
• Awake
• Back on Me
• Holiday
• The Bait
• American Daydream
• This Head I Hold
• Control
• Troubleman
• Jenny
• Holes