We Are Augustines / My Goodness Live Review

Seattle's My Goodness will undoubtedly draw lazy comparisons to other guitar and drum duos such as The Black Keys, M.C. Rut and The White Stripes, but the relative newcomers rock just as hard.

The pair were thrilling to watch as they mixed punky energy, technical skill and a loose, bluesy feel reminiscent of early Cold War Kids to create a fully wired sound which quickly won over the crowd, and it shouldn't be long before they can command their own headlining dates in the UK.

Coming on like Tom Waits singing Springsteen, headliners We Are Augustines make big, sweaty, vein-popping rock with a ragged emotional core.

The band's excellent debut album Rise Ye Sunken Ships dealt with loss and dark introspection, but live the trio - fleshed out by a superb horn section and additional guest guitarists - manage to reinterpret its pieces as defiant, life-affirming declarations of hope and inclusiveness.

From the start gravel-gargling frontman Billy McCarthy played every song as if it where a last, frantic encore, with the energy only slowing slightly for his mesmerising solo take on Barrel Of Leaves.

The sold-out crowd responded to the band's energy and commitment with a level of enthusiasm unusual for a London audience, helping create a truly special night, full of unapologetic, unironic, heartfelt joy.

Gavin Cullen