The roar from a synthesiser vibrates around Koko tonight as the stage curtain starts to lift and a mass of bodies make their way down to the dance floor. You’d be forgiven if you thought Sigur Ros were about perform, the wall of sound is so loud, but instead three figures appear. Zebra & Snake are here from Alajärvi in rural Finland and they want everyone to know they’ve arrived.

Opener ‘Money In Heaven’ paints an image of bleak times and infects your mind with its bellowing pad sounds. Lead singer Tapio’s interaction with the crowd is, however, met with near silence, and it seems that the audience isn’t really interested in having a band play. They’re here to drink cans of Red Stripe and dance to their favourite indie songs at the club happening later. Which is a real shame because what’s being created before them is an eerie, but elegant, blend of synth pop that sounds like Animal Collective mixed with Passion Pit.

The deliciously dark ‘Empty Love Song’ sees the band fist pumping in unison to the track’s driving drumbeat, which tickles your ears and makes its way to your hips. Each song appears to outshine the last and their euphoric swaying on stage shows they are enjoying every minute of this. By the time they leave to the gloomy sounds of ‘Healing Music’ you’re left feeling sorry for Zebra & Snake. Everyone is too drunk to realise that something brilliant has just taken place.

Rob Bramhill