Scouting For Girls @ The Tabernacle, 30th November 2009

OK, first things first. I'm sure SFG would be the first to admit that they're not the best musicians in the world, but they have 2 great assets that make them a fabulous band to see live:

1) They know how to create a perfect pop song

2) They are a group of really lovely, down to earth guys who have a huge amount of fun performing

Nearly 2 years after their debut album hit the number 1 spot, SFG were embarking on the firth of 3 Christmas parties for their Wolfcub fans. About 500 were lucky enough to have tickets for the Tabernacle, which is a bit like a church hall but in a good way, and an hour before the gig was due to start they were treated to the band themselves mingling and bringing round mince pies, chatting and happily posing for photos. The band always seem slightly bemused by their success and this was just one of the many ways they like to say thank you to their fan base.

When the band finally got on to a stage decked with Christmas decorations it felt a bit like you were down the local pub and some of your mates had decided to stand up and make some music. Except that SFG's musical repertoire includes such gems as 'She's So Lovely', 'I Wish I Was James Bond', and 'Keep On Walking'. It's impossible not to sing and dance along, and the whole occasion seemed quite quite joyous.

SFG also used the opportunity to road test some of their new tracks from the second album, Everybody Wants To Be On TV, which is out March 22nd next year. There was something familiar about the new songs - and not in a bad ripped-off-from-someone-else way. They have more of a so-catchy-that-you're-singing-along-halfway-through-the-first-chorus sort of feel. 'Posh Girls' was the standout track for me, and with this new material it looks like album number 2 is definitely one to watch out for.

SFG's second album, Everybody Wants To Be On TV, is out 22/03/2010

Scouting For Girls @ Newmarket Races, 7th August 2009

They’re so love-er-ly

The day before the Scouting For Girls concert at Newmarket races it poured with rain…luckily the day itself was sunny and bright despite the going being rather soft. I’ve seen SFG once before at the Ricoh in Coventry. No wait, if you include Glasto 08 and the Visa Olympic Handover party I’ve actually seen them 3 times before. It’s difficult to keep track…

Anyway, Coventry was rather an odd experience as myself and my 2 friends were probably the only people in the room (aside from the band) aged between 18 and 45. The main bulk of the crowd were teenage – making for a very good view of the stage as they hadn’t yet finished their growth spurts – with their parents all standing at the back. At Newmarket the crowd was much more mixed and I’m pleased to say that all 18,000 of us had a ball. I was with my lovely music fan friends, which meant that we were standing in prime position near the front.

The most enjoyable thing about SFG, other than their insanely catchy pop tune-age, is that they seem so, well, normal. They look so happy to be there on stage and seem to be in a perpetual state of disbelief that all these people actually want to see them perform. This earns them top marks in the likeability stakes and almost 100% audience participation in singing along. The SFG boys always thank the audience for being the most important member of the band during their set, and at some points the gig almost becomes karaoke on a huge scale, with the crowd not needing the words to sing along word perfectly. Lead singer Roy rushed around the stage and ran through the crowd, while engaging in friendly banter with bass player Greg and enlisting the audience's help in recording a message on his camera to a regular member of the band who had just got married.

Everything about SFG is FUN and the music lives up to that. Which other band would be able to quote from Masters of the Universe and James Bond, and sing songs about Michaela Strachen (I'm disappointed to learn that an early version of that song included references to Terry Nutkin - surely that should have made the final cut??!?). I can't wait to see what songs the band add to their repertoire from their second album, which I understand from the oracle that is Twitter is currently being remixed (whatever that means). It will be ice to hear some new material as it feels like their only challenge is making sure they don't become too predictable. And it will need to be good because the fickle finger of pop (aka the Radio 1 playlist) is not kind to pop bands on their second album, especially if they don't have electro pop or hip hop tendencies. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the fun will shine through.

After an encore of Glastonbury and the crowd favourite She's So Lovely, I was lucky enough to have a well connected and benevolent friend who got us all back stage to meet the band. I'm pleased to report that they are as normal and nice as they seem on stage. They made time to chat, sign and have photos taken, even though they were with friends and families. All I can say is thanks and good luck for the next album. Oh, and FYI - high heels and muddy ground do not make for successful jumping up and down...

Scouting For Girls eponymous debut album is still available in all good record shops and mp3 download online emporiums