BO NINGEN (London Macbeth, 02/09/10)



Four long-haired Japanese guys playing ferociously energetic psychedelic noise rock? Uh, HELL YES?! I don't know why it took so long for me to check them out, but goddamn, if they weren't one of the best live bands I've seen this year. Incredible stuff, even if I had to sprint (with a distinct lack of grace) to get the last tube home.

(Photo: Beki Takes Pictures (Flickr))

ZOLA JESUS (London CAMP Basement, 01/09/10)



One might think overseeing the resurrection of gothic synth balladry is nothing to be proud of, but dimuniative New Yorker Nika Roza Danilova may well make you change your mind. Evoking the same unsettling, moody bleakness as Fever Ray (and to a lesser extent, Soap & Skin), there's not much variation to be found in her set, but the plentiful moments of beautiful intensity more than compensate.

(Photo: acb (Flickr))