T on the Fringe: Iain Archer @ Cabaret Voltaire

When Iain Archer sighs "tell me something that's vaguely original" during Minus Ten, you know where he's coming from: the recent Blunt-led assault on the nation's coffee tables has led to singer/songwriters being labelled as whining well-mannered nice boys whose only function is to provide you with an easy Mother's Day present. However, despite his murky past (he used to be in Snow Patrol), Iain Archer rises above mediocrity by being just that little bit more creative: from his innovative use of an effects mic to slapping his guitar to create heartbeat percussion, he injects joy into a familiar formula. Archer is not just another singer/songwriter: songs like Solid have an emotional depth that most radio-friendly ditties lack, and the smugness emanating from his contemporaries is notably absent here: when the crowd clap along to his rousing finale, he can't contain his glee. Something vaguely original? Archer's giving us something unique. (Heather Crumley)