This is my first visit to the Islington assembly hall; the 2009 restored 1930s dancehall was closed for three decades before reopening in 2010. Originally a home for tea parties and variety shows, tonight it plays home to a rock show with 'The Duke Spirit', they themselves returned from a three year live hiatus last October when they played to a sold out crowd at another of London's beautifully restored venues, E1's Wilton’s Music Hall.

Formed 13 years ago at an Art College in Cheltenham, an unfair reaction is 'Duke Spirit... they still going?' With new bass player Rich Fownes (Bad for Lazarus, Unkle, The Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster) and new album Kin, produced by Simon Raymonde (Cocteau Twins and Bella Union boss) who also worked on the their 2005 debut, they undoubtable are! The band return from a 5 year break after Liela Moss (vocals) and Toby Butler (guitar) moved to LA to record as electro-rock outfit "Roman Remains" while Oliver Betts (drums) worked on his own side project "FURS" (a personal favourite), co-writing and producing their debut album in 2014.

Relative newcomers and also London based 'KID Wave' act as first support. Eight month's on from their debut release Wonderlust (on Heavenly), the international boy/girl quartet are not shy in supporting established acts, touring the UK with 'Stereophonics' and 'The Vaccines' in Europe. With their setup at the very front of the stage and a decent crowd gathering they have approachability, refreshingly we can see everyone! Lead singer/songwriter Lea Emmery left her native Sweden in 2011 to pursue her dream and form a band in London, that notion alone reminds me of Chrissie Hynde's move in the early 70's to form 'The Pretenders', a band that truly embodies punk pop. Edgy and effortless, 'KID wave' carry that mantle with melodic hooky riffs over grungy guitars; Lea's vocals are deep, but stylistically muffled which frustrates as I would like to hear her soulful tones a little more. Any lack of charisma is carried by strong choruses with radio friendly 'Honey' and 'Gloom' are the picks of the set.

For the headliners the demographic changed, from my seated aerial view any spare floor space in the crowd was now packed with bald heads as the 'Real Ale' drinkers made their way from the back bar. Enter stage The Duke Spirit's Liela Moss, wildly throwing her tambourine into the crowd or just close enough so that it didn't get too lost. This band is clearly adored by their loyal followers, be it the generation that the industry called the '50-quid man'; the traditionalists who had enough disposable income and attention to actually buy CD's, true listeners. The modern incarnation of this it seems is direct-to-fan crowd funding platform 'Pledge Music' through which the band have released their new album and singles ‘Blue and Yellow Light’ and ‘Hands’.

One adorer endearingly stood out for me as he towered against the front barrier with his arms in the air and shouted every lyric to the well groomed 5 piece (we've all been there...). From what I gathered from similar fan reactions, the majority of the set was filled with crowd pleasers from the bands most successful albums, 2011's Bruiser and 2008's Neptune, both of which fell under my radar and hence sounded a little dated as I lacked any real vein of nostalgia. The most exciting moments for me were when the sing-a-longs dulled as Leila announced the new material was being given an airing. Much more dynamic and modern to my ears, with spacious Interpol chiming guitars and atmospheric 'Bat for Lashes' vocals, their softer side could be seen. I think they may have grown out of being the angst driven, London noise rockers doing rhythmic 'Atlantic soul' to something much more interesting.

I will await new album 'Kin' (released this Spring on Ex Voto Records) with baited breath and I hope current as well as new fans learn the words; the cover art is their most interesting yet so who knows I might even buy the CD.

Tom Cavanagh