I don't know very much about Mary Timony apart from she used to be in a band called Helium, a name that is familiar to me, but not very much. What I do know from the moment she begins to play is that she's not a happy person. Opening with the piano-based "Dungeon Dance" from her album "Mountains" she cradles us in her arms and tells us her woes - "I am the darkness. It's raining poison rain on me". Much of the crowd don't take very much of an interest for much of the set, probably because they wanted something similar to tonight's headliners. They briefly wake up during a rocking "Rider On The Stormy Sea" but collectively groan when Mary produces a violin for a sweet "Hour Glass". That kind of reaction is annoying because I suspect that if Carrie, Corin or Janet had brought one out the reaction would have been much more positive. We're back in familiar territory soon enough with "Valley Of 1000 Perfumes" where Mary announces "Don't you know how much you mean to me? It makes me want to kill myself", which is too Lou Barlow for comfort. Carrie SK jumps on stage for the last song, which will have to remain nameless for now I'm afraid. Overall, an average but interesting set by a performer who seemed a little dwarfed by the size of the room. I'll be looking forward to seeing her on Monday in the more intimate setting of the Notting Hill Arts Club.

I headed up to the balcony for most of Sleater-Kinney's set. It was interesting to see the band from up there - it felt like I was watching them on TV or something. Still, I had a better view than the majority of people downstairs who seemed to be crammed in like sardines down at the front. Anyway, the set. To be honest I didn't know half the songs in the set as I only picked up their latest record last night and most of the set was taken from that. Still, Sleater-Kinney were as blistering as they always are with a stunning "Turn It On", a singalong "I Wanna Be Your Joey Ramone" and an amusing "Little Babies". The main set was closed with "Youth Decay" from the new album but of course they come back on for a few more. They finished with "Dig Me Out", still easily the most powerful song they play live due to Corin's stunning vocal style.

Overall, another solid Sleater-Kinney show but nothing too overwhelming. Maybe I'd think differently if I knew all the songs.

--Chris