THE DECEMBERISTS (London Brixton Academy, 21/02/15)

The Decemberists may look decidedly middle-aged these days, but they certainly haven't descended into dad band half-arsedness. The first half of the set, focusing on their more recent output was perhaps slightly lacking in their trademark joie de vivre, but once the "Hazards of Love" stuff kicked in energy levels began to crank up a notch, and the last run of the songs including "O Valencia", "16 Military Wives" and "The Mariners Revenge" was as elatory an experience as anyone will ever have in Brixton on a Saturday night.

DAN DEACON (London Islington Assembly Hall, 16/02/15)

Dance contests, human tunnels, crystal cats, lighter waving, vigorously dry-humping couples who might be pregnant now, mountains of snow past a big glen, loads of bad hipster dancing and 20,000 metric gallons of sweat. As 1000th gigs go, it could have been a lot worse. Good work, Dan Deacon. Good work.

NISENNENMONDAI (London Heaven, 15/02/15)

Minimalist motorik grooves courtesy of the ever-brilliant Japanese three-piece. No less than John Stanier deemed Sayaka Himeno one of the best percussionists in the world right now, and watching her relentless, superhumanly tight assault on her drumkit, it's hard to disagree.

LAMBCHOP (London Barbican, 30/01/15)

Review: HERE