Real Estate/Outfit @ The Deaf Institute, Manchester 17.02.12

First off though are Liverpool’s Outfit who have been hotly tipped on many lists over the last year or so (local Mancs Everything Everything list themselves as fans). ‘Two Islands’ provides one of the band’s more gorgeous songs. Washing synths soak up hypnotically dancing keys in a kaleidoscope as entrancing as the venue’s décor. Further on ‘Dashing in Passing’ adds a brooding menace to the band’s otherwise romanticised set. Seething bass lines push heavily before a space age chorus dissipates any remaining sense of malice. As the Mersey four-piece leave the stage, the crowd claps in an appreciation usually reserved for headlining acts.

Real Estate finally arrive to face a packed out venue. They open with ‘Green Aisles’ which sufficiently send the excited crowd into a sense of dazed euphoria. It all looks effortless but unfortunately it’s also rather pedestrian. Amongst a few technical hiccups, extended jams only increase the sense of boredom and whilst it’s a perfectly polished set from an accomplished act, it also lacks any real attitude.