Elemeno P with Foamy Ed
and The Taliband
Wednesday 1st March, Union Hall

Play the hits and the kids go home happy– that’s Elemeno P’s gig theory, and hey, if it works, then I’m not one to cast stones. But rewards come to those that wait (or something) so first we have to endure The Taliband. Actually, I think I was the only one who did any enduring – everyone else seemed to have a good time bouncing around to their proficient ska/dub blend… There are just some things I don’t think I will ever be sold on. Sorry.

Foamy Ed strode on to a somewhat more respectably sized crowd, and soon had the place jumping. It’s been ages since I went to a Foamy Ed gig, and I’d forgotten what an absolute blast they are. Never the most technically accomplished of bands, they opt instead for the kind of riotous, pogo-friendly punk that won Somerset so many fans a few years back. The front of the crowd is a solid mass of outstretched male hands desperate to grab hold of any part of the Foamy Ed girls they can reach. Girls with guitars equals hot, and who needs guitar solos when you can just a make a fucking good racket?

Elemeno P arrive, after what I considered a wait far longer than their status merits, to screams of “Lani!’ from the front row boys, and it’s straight into new single ‘You Are.’ From here it’s a hit parade – Dave’s up for a bit of stage banter, but the crowd size is sub-par, and they seem happiest when they get to hear their favourite music videos. ‘Burn,’ ‘Verona,’ ‘Urban Getaway,’ ‘11:57’ and the ubiquitous ‘Fast Times in Tahoe’ all go down well with the crowd. It may be that I am badly positioned up to the left of the stage, but the sound quality isn’t great, and I don’t remember it ever being so bad in that position before. Elemeno P throw a few shapes, and appear to put just the requisite amount of effort in, but I am struck with the thought that this is a band going through the motions. Certainly I can’t think of anything more demoralising that the fact that a good portion of the crowd are apparently there for the sole purpose of looking down Lani’s top. It’s a good gig, and the crowd clearly think so, but Elemeno P seem to have lost just a little of their freshness and exurberance.