Preview: The Shins

Amongst all the usual suspects stopping at this year’s T On the Fringe, one gig stands out from the crowd. The Shins' conspicuous lack of live action on these shores following the release of their third album, Wincing the Night Away, has created much anticipation around the handful of British dates they’ll play this summer.

Having started life in New Mexico and since relocated to the indie-Mecca of Portland, the band have become an internationally acclaimed act (the help of fictional fan, Natalie Portman in the film Garden State not going unnoticed). Their trademark sound lies in James Mercer’s weightless voice, which soars over a rich guitar-pop landscape, as much influenced by Brits like The Smiths as compatriots like The Flaming Lips.

And if one hip Yankee band isn’t enough, support comes in the form of Cold War Kids, whose debut Robbers and Cowards was one of last year’s standout records. With their tales of drunks and murderers, lurching bass hooks and Nathan Willett’s elastic vocals, this is set to be the perfect accompaniment.