Slogan-chanting pro-fem cheerleaders aren't necessarily what's expected of Ladyfest London. But this annual weekend-long celebration of women's achievements in the arts means that the crowd are happy to rejoice in alternative creativity, whatever form it takes. So the cheerleaders get cheered, people hand out 'zines and the day's unifying sartorial choice is a T-shirt adorned with the faces of various iconic women.
Brighton's Electrelane play on the Saturday night and get to walk out into this friendly, mutually supportive atmosphere. As Verity Susman's keyboard pulse slicks immediately into 'Blue Straggler', everythign becomes clear: on record Electrelane can be underwhelming, their filmic instrumentals falling frequently into the depths of background music. Live they're a significantly more appealing proposition as the songs are pared-down and given a lo-fi makeover. The guitar is chunkier, the beats more chaotic and the atmospheric crescendos actually engage. So highlight 'I Want To Be The President' (somewhat tellingly, their most recent song) trips over the edge of electro, while they niftily blend closer 'Long Dark' into 'Beverly Hills Cop'-centric '80s 'classic' 'Axel F'. Then they're gone: four smart women taking original steps.
Kimberly Taylor Bennett
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