We Are Scientists - Live In Manchester
[Manchester Academy]

Of all the talk about Arctic Monkeys, the NME Tour, in many ways belonged to the American power trio of We Are Scientists. The way they built from bounding opener of 'This Scene Is Dead', from the buoyant With Love & Squalor album to produce a momentum building set, ensured that people wanted to come back. Come back they did tonight, the same venue is sold-out and the same opener, ensures crowd approval from the off.

Much has been made of the throaty vocal cries of Keith Murphy and his flamboyant guitar riffs, coupled with Chris Murphy's frolicking bass lines that weld together beautifully in highlights It's A Hit and 'History Repeats'. Also, their witty banter is in full flow tonight. However, it is the bold and booming drum beats of Michael Trapper that is thrusting numbers like the catchy punk swerving, 'Lousy Reputation' that catches the ear, as he complements the sound with adept precision and often lifts it up a level.

A ripping cover of the tear-jerking The Ronnettes' song 'Be My Baby', sets in motion a cosy little sing a long, as the pace drops slightly to allow a more romantic and loving mood. The lid is put on an hour long, encore free set by way of the solidly rhythmic 'The Great Escape'.

Mutual appreciation betwixt band and the crowd is exchange with enthusiasm, along with a promise from the trio that “we'll be back real soon'. You can be sure that the Manchester crowd will hold them to that.