Sunday 04/07/04 Polyphonic Spree, The Loose Salute, NUM @ Barfly, London

Expecting only a handful of eager Polyphonic Spree fans to be upstairs at the Barfly on a Sunday night, it was a surprise to see the room filled with people fixated on the first band of the night, and the first gig south of Edinburgh for Scots artist NUM.

Surrounded by the headliners' equipment, Tony (the singer, songwriter that is NUM) stands alone with just his guitar and crucifix around his neck - which I am convinced he is praying dearly to as he starts the set.

His laid back acoustic sounds at times are reminiscent of Grant Lee Phillips although in parts you can see on his face and here the angst in his voice giving him a real edge.

Songs like ‘Rocket’ and ‘Sleeping on Your Shoulder’, with only a guitar and his melancholic voice, lead you to believe you could be the only person listening to him while he plays in his bedroom. Other more rhythmic tracks such as ‘Matrimony’ seem to bring the static instruments on the stage to life and you forget it's still just one man and his guitar. While a man of few words between songs, NUM finishes his set leaving us in no doubt that he has enough to say through his music, and how beautifully he does it.

With The Loose Salute, you’d be forgiven for thinking they’d come from as far away as The Spree, but this band are from much closer to home. Their energy for one is a refreshing change from the statuesque 4 piece bands we’re currently obsessed with. In fact the only thing they have in common is their name starts with ‘The’.

Their West Coast  Country style is uplifting as is their onstage presence, with next single 'Turn The Radio Up' getting a great reaction from the now packed room. Front woman Lisa is capturing everyone in the room with her seductive voice during verses and energetic choruses which are harmonized perfectly with the band.

Drummer Ian McCutcheon, best known as part of Mojave 3 takes over the mic at one stage to sing ‘Death club’ a title somewhat more sombre than the track itself with heavy Beach Boys / Simon & Garfunkel influences.

Ending with a cover track of The Byrds' ‘Mr Spaceman’, The Loose Salute bridge the gap between one lone guitarist and two dozen synchronized singers perfectly. 

Before The Polyphonic Spree get on stage it is difficult to tell how much of the audience’s enthusiasm is fuelled by the curiosity of seeing one of the worlds biggest bands fit onto one of its smallest stages, and how much of it is for their unique blend of fell-good gospel infused rock.

All novelty value is removed as they launch into ‘We Sound Amazed’. As Tim hangs over the audience on an invisible cross, I feel this could be Charles Manson’s second coming…

What a great way to recruit – sell the trademark white robes as merchandise, hypnotise the audience with the repetitive strong choruses and there you have it …. And just like Charles Manson’s cult, many people can not resist, not when you can see the choir in the corner singing their hearts out and moving in time, clap to the left clap to the right…you get the idea.

Playing songs from their new album ‘Together We’re Heavy’ coming out on 12th July, the first half of the set was filled with new material, but unlike most gigs where the audience is left standing appreciating songs they haven’t yet heard, but secretly hoping their favourite is next, by the end of the song everyone knows the words and is happy to listen to more of the same.

The end of the gig was like the closing curtain of Jesus Christ Superstar, and not surprisingly the room dispersed to the sound of ‘The Age of Aquarius.

If this is a cult, it should be applying for religious status some time soon.