O Children @ Hoxton Bar and Kitchen, London

Oh to have been a fly on the wall at the first meet that must have been the makings of O Children. I imagined it going something like this: “I’m completely preoccupied with the idea of death, so it just wouldn’t be right to wear anything other than, say, black – what do you think?”

… Fantasy over, their bleakness makes for an intimidating and curiosity-inducing set of individuals aesthetically. So when what we get for tonight’s single launch is dark stuff, you know you’re in happy territory. Their frontman, Tobi O’Kandi, is the kind of centre piece A&R dreams are made of: doomy vocals, as though he’s risen from the crypt at the centre of the earth, pushed along by that ash cloud from the north; tonight he’s bringing a wealth of mirth to the performance.

It helps that he’s a giant among indie boys, with arms held aloft and fingers twitching, at times he’s conducting his own army of midgets in a chorus with moves (and palms) of foreboding proportions. Minus the glasses, tonight he tells all meanings in the eyes.

They shake things up after single ‘Dead Disco Dancer’ weaves its Bunnymen way seductively around, next bringing us ‘Express’. A noticeable strut forms with the loss of the mic stand and proves captivating, even if the music doesn’t quite keep up.

The drummer, Andi Sleath, is working over time, every beat like a knife wound to the ears. Guitars meanwhile are surprisingly tuneful from the amazingly-named Gauthier Ajarrista, whereas bassist Harry James is bobbing around like he’s on hot coals.

‘Smile’ takes a bit of bearing with; the pace a funeral march, with a truckload of guitar and bass making for a heavy hand. ‘Bring Me A Prayer’ is poppier, with more Marr-like guitar riffs cascading over that masterful voice.

For the first time they’ve played ‘Double Date’ live, it’s got some mighty weight to the opening lines, a reverb over-strummed guitar crackling beneath. The track seems bare bones by comparison, but the drum rolls in with bass riff and we’re into more familiar, less mass reading realms, and this is where they step out of potential pomp and become that interesting proposition their outfit aura demands.