Wednesday 26/07/06 The Futureheads, Tapes 'n Tapes @ Phoenix Concert Theatre, Toronto

It can be a strange world, that the next big thing is supplanted by the next-next big thing in the span of mere months - like Big Brother and Pop Idol winners, one after the other. Possibly another good example of this phenomenon is The Futureheads and Tapes n Tapes bill that’s currently touring North America. The Futureheads’ ‘News And Tributes’ was tipped to be the massive record of the year - with stylish progress over their already-excellent debut. 'News…', keep in mind, is only the second full-length release from the Futureheads. When it hit stores, the majority of the population had never heard of these… ‘n Tapes upstarts. Of course, this was way back in early summer 2006.

How time flies. Since then, The Futureheads buzz-worthyness as the au courrant has been single-handedly usurped by four fresh-faced Americans, of all things. Fresh from New York City and an appearance on Late Night with David Letterman where they also performed their single ‘Insistor’, Tapes ‘n Tapes electrified a packed house in Toronto that came down early in the rain especially to see them open the show. Stage patter was relatively muted, but there was little need for it, as the band brought charming and seemingly effortless energy to each song they played. Enthusiasm, both on stage and off, was in massive supply.

Towards the end of their set, the crowd went berserk when they announced they would play their song ‘Manitoba’ (a big deal for Canadians, who seem to get overly excited whenever anything remotely Canadian is mentioned in a pop song). Admittedly, it was a bit of a big deal, as the fine province of Manitoba is too rarely mentioned in song, and it’s thrilling to hear it discussed from the hearts and minds of the finest musical residents to come out of Minnesota since Prince. Sadly, the set was marred only by the occasional sound of a random smattering, howling “PLAY HOUNDS OF LOVE” by people who likely didn’t know their own names at the time, let alone that Tapes ‘n Tapes were still on stage.

On to Sunderland’s second-favorite sons The Futureheads (Don’t forget- Alex Kapranos of Franz Ferdinand was born there). The minute they take the stage you forget instantly that the culture junkies are looking for the next big thing, and acquiesce to the sounds of a solid rock outfit. (Though the people perennially shouting about "Hounds of Love" didn’t exactly stop shouting at that point. If anything, they got louder. At least they were shouting at the right band for a change.) The quartet got the entire crowd going instantly, ripping through spirited versions of their songs like ‘A to B’, ‘Burnt’ and the big shiny first lead single from News and Tributes ‘Skip To The End’.

And in it was tossed, near the end of the main set, with frontman Barry Hyde ensuring the crowd was divided in equal halves- the right with guitarist Ross Millard, the left with bassist Jaff- to sing along to 'Hounds Of Love'. Fantastic. Stopped the drunken shouting as well.

Regardless of the excitement around them, both bands came off the stage triumphant. But do believe the hype, as both bands are worth every ounce of it.