★★★★

The atmosphere in the Dome was electric as Oxford band Glass Animals came to town. It was a Saturday night and people were out to have some fun. The floor was rammed with a young crowd and Glass Animals entered the slightly surreal stage (two huge plastic cactuses) to an expectant roar.

Dave Bayley is quite a front man and exuded energy from the first moment – it was amazing how he kept his very distinctive voice in perfect pitch throughout the entire set.

Rarely have I been to a gig where so many people sang every word to every song. One of the reasons for this is that the songs are lyrically interesting, resembling narrations over dreamy sonic landscapes.

It is perhaps a sound that lacks a bit of edge in its live form but this wasn’t the opinion of the crowd who surged en masse towards Bayley as he sang Gooey, one of Glass Animals’ most anthemic numbers.

With memorable tunes like Hazey, Youth and Life Itself in their armoury this is a band on the up.