I had a ticket for Hoxton Bar and Kitchen tonight, but the gig was postponed and here I am at Foe. As Foe had to cancel a Hoxton Bar and Kitchen gig before Christmas there is some sort of symmetry here. I had been disappointed at the clash of dates so it's very much a 'silver lining' situation.

The support band are from Oxford. I don't think I've ever heard anyone use so much vocal reverb, sort of double cathedral. There was something about them that was irritating apart from horrible lights - strobes don't make a static band look dynamic or interesting.

I have come across Foe rather late as they have an album in the shops on 16th January which I shall be buying. It is a sort of catchy rock that sounds good on the ipod and on stage. Hannah has been compared to P J Harvey which is not as far off the mark as most comparisons to Polly. Their is something captivating about Hannah and she is pleasant to chat to afterwards.

An excellent start to 2012.

I haven't been to the Old Blue Last for quite a while. Since I was last there they have moved the upstairs bar. I think it is an improvement to have a squarer audience area. They have also removed the lights, I think it might be because work is still in progress, but it is certainly very black tonight; even with my ability to photograph at dimness below normal room lighting I am still left with no option but to use flash.

I last saw Fight Like Apes in 2007 and they have come a long way since then and tonight's gig is now a small venue for them. They put a lot into their show and it is a pity that it is not visable. Bitches open the evening with a seriously frenetic set. A boy on guitar and girl on drums/vocals produce plenty of noise at a breakneck pace. Foe's set in the middle seems qute sober between the other two bands, but in fact they are no laggards and offer a well paced performance of some fine songs. A very good (if dark) evening.