It wasn’t that long ago since I first caught City Calm Down live, but once again they impressed me, they’re songs were instantly recognisable, a credit to their song writing talent. The crowd were slowly winding up, tapping their feet and several busting some moves enthusiastically to the electro quartets synth-driven pop songs. While many electro acts sound great on record but have a live performance that sounds washed out, live is where City Calm Down really shine, they’re songs loud played loud and powerful.

En Tout Cas (pronounced ‘On-Tu-Ka’ for those playing at home) took to the small stage armed with fast-paced pop songs, reminiscent of Yves Klein Blue or the Holidays. Backed by distorted guitar and happy-yet-steady drums, ingenious lyrics were sung light-heartedly, the rowdy audience knowing when to chant along. Though their set was peppered with small technical difficulties, they’re continued on with their set, enthusiastic and seemingly unperturbed. One highlight was “Quarter Sins”, a little darker than the rest of their set, and their cover song, the Arctic Monkeys “Fake Tale of San Francisco”, which got the already hyper-active crowd even more so. They closed their set with a number called “Denghi”, unintentionally inciting a stage invasion from the audience, the dance floor practically cleared and 90% of the night’s attendees found up alongside the band. It was enjoyable watching this guitar-driven pop band. No hang ups, just easy pop songs made for made for fun time, to dance and sing along to!

Setlist:
steal your soul
6 o'clock swill
out of time
ides
quarter sins
wait along time
fake tales of san francisco (Arctic Monkeys cover)
join the fold
this side of the river
vball
denghi

Photo from the band's Myspace Page