STARS (London Scala, 15/01/15)

Stars didn't rank as one of my favourite members of the Toronto-based Arts and Crafts collective until I saw them at the Kings Cross Scala in 2007. My experience at that show is documented in some detail here, but in summary, their earnest, hands-on-heart indie-pop was augmented a hundred-fold by the unrestrained passion of their lead singers Torquil Campbell and Amy Millan. Seven years on, and mercifully little has changed. True, their more recent material has veered on a sometimes questionable cod-disco tangent, but their gigs remain a joyous affair, full of an energy and charisma that may have come across as cheesy if it hadn't obviously been delivered with such sincerity (see also: Craig Finn of the Hold Steady). Plus, it's always nice to be at a show where you're surrounded by actual fans, rather than hordes of guestlist wankers.