Life In Film / Foreign Office @ Lyle & Scott, XOYO

Being on my first expedition to London’s XOTYO venue, I’m half expecting to see a few knobbly-kneed punks and a quarter full room. Boy am I in for a surprise: the venue is heaving and massive – the kind of cinematic club you might find in Blade. Or even Blade II.

On the way in, the legendary music writer Mark Beaumont floats into my orbit, Willow the Whisp like. He’s offering me his plus one – how kind! As we go into the venue, I’m half tempted to ask about his historical adventures but, er… Mark? Hey, Mark? Too late, he’s gone. Whisped away.

Nomatter, because here’s band number one Life In Film. They’re certainly pros: Afro-styled twinkling guitars, surging indie anthems and a healthy male specimen for the ladies are all being showcased. One song is a ‘forgive me lover!’-like example of rock pathos in the style of Kings of Leon’s ‘The Bucket’.

Like a packet of pre-heated pop tarts they seem ready-made for their MTV2 close up, and confidently drive the crowd into a state of ecstasy with their closing number. I can’t figure out whether I like 'em or not though: Vampires of Leon is too easy a tag, but there’s certainly something a bit generic to the tunes. That said, the crowd are hypnotised.

Foreign Office are weirder and therefore more my bag: their breathless falsettos, crunchy electro-beats and – crucially – sense of humour make for more of an unselfconscious party.