Gig Review: Dexter/Tribes

Camden’s Purple Turtle has gone through a transformation, shaking off its death mental past 2012 sees it become the place to be and last nights Tins On Toast launch party proved that. Replacing the Cyberdog wearing attendees were indie kids in tight jeans and leather jackets spinning to the best indie tunes thanks to DJ sets from Bandangos, Club NME’s Ed Wilder and XFM’s Liam Young and Steve Harris in their winkleepickers on the dancefloor. Amongst the DJ sets saw live performances from two of the hottest bands in North London.

The first band to take to stage on the new weekly night was five-piece up-starts Dexters who played a storming set showcasing their fresh sound with confidence and a swagger whilst displaying charm and warmth to the baying crowd. The youngsters are full of energy and enthusiasm, they are definitely ones to watch with promise shining through. It was the headliners who were the centre of the buzz in the heaving venue, as local boys Tribes warmed-up for the NME Tour with a very special acoustic set.

2012 is going to be a big year for the four-piece who released their critically acclaimed album, Baby last month. Tomorrow they take on the UK with the NME Tour before a jaunt around Europe, then a headline UK tour before the festival season kicks off, this will be the smallest gig for a long long time. The band left their drummer at home but gave a rare outing for their acoustics as they played a short set, opening up with live favourite, Coming Of Age. The buzz amongst the spectators was electrifying as the band then went into the radio-friendly Sappho before the anthemic sounding Nightdriving. The performance concluded with a sing-a-long to the nostalgic single, We Were Children before bowing out to what will be their last home-time show for a while.

Tins On Toast returns to the Purple Turtle every Monday with the best new bands around.