In the last throws of the 2003 live performance year, I have been given the opportunity to see a show that comprises two new, distinctive and acclaimed UK rock bands. Headlining is an American act that has garnered a strong following over the last 12 months. Electric Six made a major impact over here in the UK with their smash single, Danger, Danger and follow-up single, the notorious and annoyingly catchy Gay Bar. In Dick Valentine, the band has one of the most charismatic lead men around at the moment, with the knack of controlling an audience with an iron fist. The band seems to have established a second-home here in the UK following extensive tours, TV appearances and major festival gigs (where they have become a major attraction). But all this hasn’t impressed this reviewer although my mind and ears are always open… Kid Symphony is the latest and greatest musical vehicle for long-time friends Chris Langdon (vocals) and Pete Denton (guitar). After years of toil, and frustration with the current music scene, the pair gathered together a few more band members and released their first single, Hands On The Money, just a few days ago. Moco are unknown to me but NME have proclaimed, “… if they ain’t big stars in the making, NME will show its arse in Burton’s window.” We’ll see…

The show is sold-out and so I struggle to find a spot at the front of the wonderful Manchester University Academy 2 venue to secure photographs. It’s not long before Moco’s Steven Jones (vocals), Anthony Rigby (guitar), Nick Higham (bass), and Simon Miston (drums) squeeze onto a stage packed with gear. Dominant, leadman Jones is a tall, scrawny figure with more than a passing resemblance to Darkness’s Justin Hawkins.

After a nervous opening song, the band really flies into its set with a brand of melodious glam rock that sets the place alight. Jones gives the impression that he’s out to have a lot of fun, while lead guitarist Rigby keeps his head down as he contributes some of the wildest guitar riffs of the night. Strong vocals from an animated and communicative frontman, frantic rock instrumentals and some good tunes combine to make this an inspiring opening to the show.

To the sound of classical music, the stage darkens before Kid Symphony’s keyboardist wanders onto the stage and fiddles with his tools. Then the rest of the band lead by frontman Chris Langdon, walk briskly in and immediately into pounding rock ditty (and appropriately titled), Live On A High. I’m immediately struck by the quality and intensity of Langdon’s voice, playboy looks and guitar work of partner in crime Pete Denton. Langdon is not your standard rock band frontman; he looks too scrubbed, too smart.

With the next song, Paid Me, I’m struck by the band’s sensitivity to melody and instrumental tightness. By the next song, On The Other Side, I’m almost sold on a band I’m hearing and seeing for the first time. Audience response is everything, and as the set develops so does the crowd’s appreciation, whose ‘loud button’ has been violently twisted to maximum. It’s a very cold night in Manchester but by the next tune, She Lives In NYC, sweat is dripping off Langdon’s face and he’s previous primness is shot through. Two great songs in Rock Star and Underqualified follow before the new single Hands On The Money raises the temperature even further.

In one of the most intense and expressive rock performances seen this year, the band drives the audience to a responsive peak. The short set ends of the slower and very moving Spaceships, and nails a great performance from a band that I believe we’ll be hearing and seeing a lot more of in the very near future. Wonderful.

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The stage is virtually emptied and begins to look cavernous as it darkens again, and the capacity crowd (with many female admirers) becomes one of the most animated and excited audiences I’ve witnessed in 2003. And I’m a little surprised by this as I really didn’t think that Electric Six had become this admired.

By now, I’m worried about my expensive photographic gear, and my view of the stage is being obstructed by some yummy girls who are wildly jumping and waving arms in front of me. When immaculate, dress-suited frontman Valentine appears, the roof of the venue is nearly lifted as the screams reach boiling point. Then my next surprise arrives. The band is amazingly good, and Valentine proves to be one of the finest frontmen I have seen; he’s supremely comfortable with the audience, has a fabulous voice, and boy does he have the moves.

Save for the two aforementioned singles, I know none of the others in the set, while the audience sings every one of them… In other words, the performance for me is a revelation of major proportions. Naked Pics, Electric Demons, Nuclear War, Take Off Your Clothes, I’m The Bomb, Synthesizer, She’s White, Computer, Improper Dancing - all excellent songs performed by what must be one of the tightest rock bands around. With Danger, High Voltage arrives a nuclear crowd explosion, before the latest single Dance Commander.

I’m frankly stunned at the strength of a performance that finishes on a fabulous encore with Radio Gaga, ‘that song’ Gay Bar, and finally the wonderful I Am Detroit. Shit, this band is good… And I can’t think of a better show to end one of the best live performance years - ever.