 | | Cherry Ghost |
In the shell-like corner, Cherry Ghost, slowly creeping into the conscious with strong, strong songs; wearing the pointy ears, Polytechnic, champions of the zeitgeist and hot property across the nation as one of the ‘buzz’ bands to see. Taking the supporting headline slot, Cherry Ghost proceeded to show exactly why they are in line to follow Doves down the Heavenly path to stardom. Particular highlights were a storming shoe-shuffle rambler by the name of Thirst For Romance, Mathematics – their epicly wonderful debut single – and the bobbing closer, Mind Your Head, a real firecracker of a tune. Despite a slightly ropey yet warmly received People Help The People, Simon Aldred and his band dropped the kind of tunes that put a sharp thought in your brain, a glowing ache in your heart and toe-tap in your feet. The big time awaits…  | | Polytechnic |
The same may not be true of Polytechnic. Despite racing into top-of-the-bill status with thoroughly enjoyable tracks like new single Cold-Hearted Business and the twitching Pep, the larger they get, the more their flaws are revealed. Disregarding the fact they seem to increasingly look like they sleep in parks, their music, extended across a longer set, lacks dimensions. Let’s face it, how many times can anyone stomach 'oo-oo' backing vocals to a slightly spiky indie sound before they go completely insane? It’s a question that the five piece seem to be testing to the limit. This was a show at the crossing point, where Cherry Ghost, softly and sure-footed, creeps past the sleeping Polytechnic to take the crown. It might not end up like that, but unless Polytechnic wake up and put some thought into their material, this is one race they will never win. | 
