First of all a few words about the venue: it's great, with a spot on sound system and reasonably priced drinks. The Water Rats boasts an enviably eclectic variety of guests, which throughout the years have alternated between Ash and more recently Black Kids.
Of lesser fame were the acts performing last night, however the atmosphere was amazingly involving and the experience turned out to be one of the most memorable. I was particularly impressed by some of the bands.

The Backyard Flames put the enthusiastic crowd into a sonic vortex of non apologetic loud indie beats, which often indulged into an everything but timid flirt with metal. It was well received by the young animated listeners.

Alan Bonner came to create a sort of poetic oasis amongst the more vivacious and aggressive guitar based bands. His music was an onomatopoetic melange of sounds, where the melodic piano meets the melancholic violoncello and the softly stroked guitar. All instruments were then embraced by Alan's gritty yet mellifluous vocals and the sound of it was interesting. Pieces like Narcissists Wet Dream and Talia stood out as possible singles, both reminiscent of Tory Amos evocative airs and with decadent themes