Last night we went to see Maria Minerva, Outfit and NZCA Lines play the Royal Albert Hall, here’s what we thought:

Outfit on stage

The Royal Albert Hall is an unusual place for a gig of this kind I’m aware, but the Elgar Room (where it was hosted) should be every Londoner’s new favourite venue. Of course you’d expect such a venue to have mastered live sound, but what I hadn’t predicted was the incredible effect that had on my enjoyment of the gig. Each band sounded clear and precise exactly how you imagine they wanted to sound.

First up was NZCA Lines, with their brand of intricate electronic pop enthralling the audience, living up to the hype surrounding them by delivering the hit after hit. Next up was Outfit, whose reputation for being fantastic recorded have made them sweethearts of the indie world, I can confirm they only sounded more incredible live. Lead singer Andrew Hunt’s voice was spot on the entire set, perfect in every way. Their bombastic guitary sound weaving seamlessly with so many other elements, and always leaving you wanting more. Their songs have a pop sensibility without ever becoming cheesy or clichéd, the set was sealed with a kiss with their fantastic single ‘Two-Islands’.

Last on was ex-Goldsmiths student Maria Minerva, she came on looking striking, and with an attitude to match. With a very individual brand of off kilter pop her intensity enabled her to pull it off. With a band to back her up she may have been able to draw and keep the audiences attention more effectively, however it was the odd choice of projections behind her that stole our interest in the end.