The Fratellis @ The Liquid Room

Tonight The Fratellis have drawn a crowd that pushes the Liquid Room to its tight capacity. As they batter through a noisy set of pseudo-country rock 'n' roll, it's easy to discern the dedicated fans who throng around the barrier from the semi-interested who know the name and came to see what the fuss is about. Proof that CDs are irrelevant these days comes with the fact that The Fratellis have at least six well known songs three weeks before the album's out. Two of these – Henrietta and Cigarillo – are rattled off immediately in a quick one-two, allowing the incontinently-challenged an early bathroom break. From here on the aforementioned aficionados fill the inter-song gaps with the infectious terrace-like chant of Chelsea Dagger. When the new single does arrive towards the end, it's upstaged in the quality stakes by next track Creepin' Up the Backstairs – a true belter. This gig proves that The Fratellis have tapped a bankable niche of youthful rebellion, but it's impossible to ignore the fact that their limited three-piece formula may correspondingly have a limited shelf-life. Suppress the cynicism and enjoy them while it lasts. [Nick Mitchell]