Tuesday 09/10/07 The Go! Team, The Satin Peaches, Operator Please @ Astoria, London

Operator Please open tonight’s gig.  Basically, for the uninitiated, five Aussie teenagers playing punky rock tunes that burst with giddy pop choruses. Their exciting single ‘Just A Song About Ping Pong’ is the kind of effervescent perky pop that could only be made by teenagers. The song is a definite highpoint of the set, along with ‘Zero Zero’ and ‘Get What You Want’. At times they recall fellow Australians The Grates, although there are obvious differences between the two - for a start the Ronan Keating T-shirt-baring violinist is a neat addition to the line up that keeps things interesting and is a signature mark of the band’s own sound. They are fun to listen to and fun to watch – the keyboardist/percussionist’s dancing has numerous ladies in the crowd mimicking her moves.

Things take a distinct turn for the worst however the moment The Satin Peaches saunter on stage. They are possibly the most bizarre choice of support act ever. They are The Anti-Go! Team. They play a really dreary set of instantly forgettable bland rock, with a highly contrived ‘attitude’, you can’t help but wonder why exactly they have a place on this otherwise great bill.

In contrast to the last act, The Go! Team are a joy live. In Ninja they have a perfect front woman, equal parts fierce and fun she stalks the stage and pulls shapes with unrelenting energy and enthusiasm. Tracks from their debut album still sound as thrilling as ever. Their hits, such as ‘Ladyflash’ truly come alive in performance with the “yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah” refrain providing an infectious sing-along. Of the songs from the new album ‘Grip Like Vice’ and ‘Titanic Vandalism’ are fearsome live. ‘Doing It Right’ is saved for the encore, the vintage soul brass section and uplifting chorus provides another excuse for crowd participation. “I want to see every single one of you dance!” Ninja demands once again. And dance we do.