In my indie world Pram would have been tonight's headliners but it seems that Hood have a bigger profile these days, so instead Pram open the proceedings with a very fine hour of atmospheric music which highlighted their huge range of influences - Joe Meek, Delia Derbyshire, dub, sci-fi soundtracks, psychedelia and jazz.
The loss of their singer due to illness has meant that for some of this tour they have performed as an instrumental band. Inevitably at some points you notice her absence but the band's instrumental work is so strong that they still sound impressive. Sometimes creepy, sometimes soothing, Pram manage the trick of remaining aloof but engaging and you can't help but admire them.
I haven't heard the last couple of Hood albums so tonight's set is something of a revelation for me. At times they sound alarmingly close to Bark Pyschosis, and while that is fine by me, I'm happy to say that they are a lot more than simple BP copyists. Hip-hop beats from their cLOUDEAD collaboration sit comfortably beside the atmospheric swathes, and the whole set is propelled along by some truly extraordinary drumming. On this evidence I will checking out their new album straight away.
Like Pram their music evokes a place which most other bands know nothing about. In Hood's case it is the beauty and emptiness of the Yorkshire countryside, in Pram's case it is the dusty but exotic world of the relatively recent past. Bands like these don't come along very often and we should treasure them while we can.
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