Sonic cathedrals might be a phrase that's best used to describe prog rock bands from the 1970s such as Yes or Hawkwind. Polar do have some prog rock tendencies, although they have more in common with recent prog-esque bands such as Engineers, and Mogwai, even hinting at the majesties of My Bloody Valentine. They might not be rock stars as such, but they're great musicians, which sometimes that are all you need. However the singer does look a little like Tom Smith from Editors and the band have some of the same nervous intensity as Editors. They're perhaps not the most original band but they do make play great big grey slabs of guitar sound, and you can't help but be dragged in by the intensity of them. They may not have had the best sound system but they're the best band tonight, not to mention ones to watch. Even the ever enthusiastic MC/rapper/human beatbox seems moved by them. However it goes a bit downhill with the next two bands. The Attic Project are energetic enough with their punk/ska crossover set. They are a cross between a punkier version of The Ordinary Boys, and The Specials with a bit of NOFX rockiness thrown in. They managed to create a bit of a moshpit, but their set just felt lacklustre, and derivative. Maybe once they sharpen up their hooks they can pack a sharper punch. Stagger weren't really much better, they were a bit of an indie mess, with a lack of pace or vision. However they did have one saving grace with their cover of Oasis' Supersonic which they rather cleverly mixed in Dead Or Alive's You Spin Me Round which was amusing, and saw the crowd getting into another moshpit. My tip is to check out Polar and their sonic cathedrals. Ben Bradford saw Polar, The Attic Project, Stagger @ Leeds Met University, Tuesday 21 March 2006, as part of Bright Young Things 2006.
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