Toffs Can't Dance: The Ballroom Blitz @ The Caves

Unsigned band nights tend to be tantamount to a kind of Rock 'n' Roll lucky bag; intriguing as much for the possibility of unearthing a gem as for the overall experience. Conversely, they can be something of a drag when the groups are strictly second-rate. Toffs Can't Dance has forged a decent reputation for itself over the past few months, but on this occasion the content of its bag proves decidedly meagre. Our Beloved (2/5) get proceedings off to an energetic start, their blend of emo-ish punk and crunching power-trio attack proving they are no shrinking violets. However, much more work has to be done on the tunes, which slip from promising Jam-esque beginnings to McFly homage by the end of the set. Not a good thing. Epic 26's (2/5) penchant for silly hats and open-shirts ups the camp and laugh factor but the swagger can't hide a depressing lack of musical imagination. tELLEY (2/5), from London, continue this trend with a workaday set of indie-pop. Not too bad, just not that good. Headliners the Common Redstarts (3/5) at least look as though they believe in what they do, which is a start. It remains to be seen whether others will share their faith in sub-Oasis meat and two veg bloke-rock. [Duncan Forgan]