Spanking New Music Week Goes Pop!

Manchester Met went Pop for the second night of Spanking New Music Week. With sparkling sets from Ben Adams, Dear Eskiimo, El Presidente, Lady Sovereign and Jem, combined with a super-glam audience, the Hits night was a dazzling affair.

First up was the irresistibly fit (and he knows it) Ben Adams. Gone are his boy band ways of old (A1 anyone?), replaced by sweeping solo operatic intros and a talent for vocal-range. Set highlight came in the form of forthcoming single, Sorry, which sees the cutie warble about misjudging his exes fidelity.

Next came arguably the best set of the night from Mancunians, Dear Eskiimo. The offbeat threesome opened with Patience, a fabulously chirpy nursery rhyme complete with Bjork-esque vocals courtesy of the cute and quirky Katie White. What followed was a set full of gloriously original performances complete with looping pop tunes that had the crowd grinning inanely and jiggling with delirium. Fabulous.

El Presidente are by far and away the band with the highest rockstar credentials. A unique and intriguing collection of individuals, (including to the boys delight, an extremely hot, sultry female drummer), the quad rocked theMet with a sharp version of forthcoming single 100 MPH, which, judging by the crowds frenzy is going to be HUGE.

The biggest surprise of the night came from Lady Sovereign. Launching herself onstage, Sov lets loose with a blast of scathing but witty lyrics over an awesome bass backbeat, a favourite being Working The 9 to 5. Shes so wonderfully sassy, not to mention talented, that you cant help fall for her feisty charm.

No doubt youve already seen and heard Jem from her recent chart stinger They. Well you aint seen nothing yet. The Welsh starlets vocal gift is astounding and she had the happily swaying crowd captivated from the start. Reminiscent of Dido, Jems silky tones are incredibly easy-on-the-ear, especially her beautiful performance of Save Me.

Keep em peeled people cos youll be catching more than a glimpse of these acts on MTV Hits in the coming year but in the meantime tune into Hits this week for all the Spanking New action.