Outfit/Fiction/Towns @ The Barfly, Camden

PHOTO: JOSH HOLLIDAY
DOTS&ASHES

Just a ten minute walk from the Barfly venues lies The Good Mixer, Britpop's pub of choice. On the wall adorns murals of Liam Gallagher sipping pints with his Britpop mates around a pool table. Ah the days when British rock stood for something. Or at least sold records.

Luckily no one's gone down to Weston-Super-Mare to tell the four guys of Towns that '95 this is not, because out of the ashes of what must be a record collection built up soley of a combination of late 60s rock and late 80s Madchester vibes, comes a band with a 'town-full' of talent.

Brining together the Charlatans' big guitars, Inspiral Carpets' liking of a decent chorus and Oasis' understanding that loud guitars general equals good things. Don't underestimate these guys as being near the forefront of the new set of bands showing those pining for the days of 2001 when guitars were angular, that bigger, in this case, is better.

Second up were a band very much more modern, but as exciting. Fiction brought out their new percussionist - with water barrels, bin lids and all – into the fold as their Wild Beasts tinged harmonies and guitar parts combine with Caribou drum elements and acid-tinged breakdowns. With limited content online so far, the only way to fully get with this band is to see them live. Go on. Do it.

Outfit had a tough couple of acts to follow, and on any other night, they'd likely be clearly on top, but following two bands who are stepping into fourth gear, Outfit seem to still be at the 'what route are we clearly going to take?' stage. Half Orange Juice, half Delphic-esque house night, the juxtaposition creates some interesting moods, but always comes off a little un-natural.

No need to revel in the good 'ol days, tonight showcased a potential future. And it's sounding sweet.