The Long Blondes - Academy 2 - 08/04/08 by Chris Horricks

Once known as the best unsigned band in Britain the sensational stylish quintet are now on their second album since signing to Rough Trade and show no sign of letting up as they keep the inimitable strut which characterised previous gigs. Now the other four Blondes have added a higher level of musicianship, which now means they are all on a par with front woman Kate Jackson, which is some achievement given her stage presence and glamour; akin to the Hollywood stars of old from whom she recognisably draws influence.

Opening the set with current single ‘Century’ they are instantly into their stride and sending the adoring audience into a frenzy of dance and energy. The Blondie-esque mix of stomp and pomp is a joy to behold. As a band they have a sense of genuine friendship and togetherness as demonstrated by the banter between one master stroke of a song and the next, including Jackson’s light hearted comment that ‘this isn’t the Screech show’ following the drummer's outburst of an unexpected brief solo following ‘Autonomy Boy’.

It's not just the band on stage who are in on the togetherness as the audience to join in culminating in a flat cap being projected in the direction of the stage following Kate informing her adoring public that her beret collection had been reduced to one by moths that are inhabiting band mate Dorian Cox’s house, upon receipt of said headwear it was immediately replaced the trademark beret to form the so called ‘farm girl look’.

The highlight of the evening’s proceedings was undoubtedly the rapturous response to the opening bars of fan favourite ‘Once And Never Again’, which was sadly absent in their recent Edinburgh gig so it was even more welcome than usual upon its triumphant return to the set list. Forthcoming single ‘Guilt’ which is the lyrical highpoint of “Couples” was also greeted with an almost as big reaction in addition to an impromptu crowd sing a long, which shows the dedication of their fan base to be able to sing a track from an album only released 24 hours earlier.

Following an awe-inspiring show an elated audience streamed away having been treated to yet another reminder of why the formally best unsigned band in Britain are now the best band in the world, bar none!