Tuesday 18/10/05 Ladytron, Battant @ Carling Academy, Liverpool

We arrive just in time to witness the last of the youthful reincarnation of that evil bitch in black from Superman II, otherwise known as Ursa ‘the companion’. You know, lady of the satanic three, who by barely exhaling blows up buildings whilst strapped in a cat suit. While support act Battant’s striking, shockingly young looking, fox of a French singer isn’t accosted by a layer of lycra, her demeanor’s that of a demon. Chloe’s cold cutting glare slices up the electric ‘Sockets (for eyes)’. She wants to “give it a try” with a tone of the concocted combination of being particularly un-phased, childishly demanding, and so sweepingly seductive that we are all made to feel slightly guilty. The sound’s got an 80’s attitude, and could be a younger, more emotional relation to that of Ladytron… 

Usually, when looking at photos of Ladytron, the question “Why the long face?” comes to mind, but on this particular occasion Mira smiles, and more than once. She’s actually shedding bouts of happiness on the red-lit stage in front of us! Their typical business like manner’s splintered in thank yous and little jokes between songs. The transition from pseudo guitars (synths) to real guitars, makes a refreshing change from the old style, and adds a lot of spice to ‘Sugar.’ The delightful ‘Destroy Everything You Touch’ submerges us into the submarine of their red-hot flood-lit hearts, and leads us to imminent destruction in drink (or was that just Gigwise?). ‘He Took Her To A Movie’ is ‘sung’ with its usual amount of agreeable melancholia. The futuristic feel of ‘Tomorrow’s World’ puts us all in the rather familiar odd feeling of that informative aged TV programme of the same name, and takes us through a journey of possibilities that are yet to exist.

“There’s not enough dancing in here!” Mira moans. “Look, I’m dancing,” and so she does. Ladytron in red is dancing with us. But unfortunately the contented crowd refrains from joining in. Surprising since Liverpool’s the boys’ hometown, which is highlighted by Danny’s comment on the titanic nature of their guest-list. The boys remained in the b(l)ack, allowing us to become entranced in the forlorn harmonies of the leading ladies. Reuben and Dannys’ cool and moody presence, gives the impression that we’re interfering in some home project on musical experimentation. Not that they appear to care. The open wide series of enviable ‘Ah’s a dentist would be getting hard about emerge from Mira’s mouth amid the cycle of otherwise less open spaces.

On first departure Ladytron leave us wanting more, and this reviewer wanting her favorite song. Thank Tron, to our glee and slapping feet they return with the trademark sing-a-long song ‘Seventeen’. Ahh, just what the hygienist ordered.