Hot Club De Paris
The Lexington, London
09/02/2010

The Lexington is a lovely whisky bar in Kings Cross, the formerly seedy part of Central London. It’s a bar that looks like it’s not quite completed, but knows how to host a bloody good night. Partner this hot new venue with a band that has been touring the circuit for many a year now, as well as having supported plenty of big names including Dirty Pretty Things, Jamie T and even The Who, and you expect great things. So upon arrival at Hot Club De Paris’ London show this evening The Fly is disappointed to find the room only at best two thirds full.

Fair Ohs, main support tonight, are a very pleasant surprise. With their latin and afro beat rhythm-backed twee pop songs, they hit the vibe-nail on the head and The Fly is soon shaking our thang all over the shop. The only disappointment with this act is that someone else got there first – Vampire Weekend – with whom they share an uncanny resemblance, not visually, but sonically.

Back to the headliners, Hot Club De Paris - they’ve got their live show sorted and they’re tight, incredibly quirky and funny; boasting brilliant banter. But unfortunately their act hasn’t changed that much since The Fly last saw them four years ago. Albeit their set boasts new songs and they seem to have got better looking, but nothing special has happened, no musical developments or eureka moments, to make them reach that next level. A shame, seeing as they’re such an earnest and hard working band.

Paul Davies