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So thanks to Stag & Dagger for another fine lineup this year. Though that inevitably meant numerous clashes. We did our best (it’s a hard life!) to see the cream of the crop and here is what we came up with on the night.

White Hinterland @ The Macbeth, Stag & Dagger 2010.

First up was Portland’s White Hinterland which saw the lovely Casey Dienel on vocals, Ukulele and keys and a Tune Yards (ok by us!) t-shirt toting sideman on synths and all manner of strange percussion and effects. While some of the set felt a little rough, Icarus was, as predicted, the jewel in their crown. Casey’s voice is one of the sweetest you will hear.

Javelin @ Camp, Stag & Dagger 2010

Next was Brooklyn electronic duo Javelin‘s time to impress over at Camp on City Rd. We knew we were onto a winner when Pat from Active Child told us we should get upstairs and check them out before his set. We weren’t disappointed as the two threw some Beastie Boys white boy hip-hop energy into what are essentially computer game-ified catchy electronic jams. ‘Oh Radio’ and camp-super-hero vocal effect lead ‘Oh Centra’ were two of the show stealers. Javelin are at Barden’s Boudoir in Dalston, TONIGHT May 25th opening up for Small Black & Tanlines.

Active Child @ Camp Basement, Stag & Dagger 2010.

Active Child next then and we’ve lost track of how many times we’ve seen L.A.’s Pat Grossi (Active Child) on his first European tour, which will tell you how highly we approve. A minimal live set up but a big sound including a harp and some of the finest 80s beats and Baywatch-esque drums you’ll hear all year. And then there’s that voice!

The Radio Dept @ The Legion, Stag & Dagger 2010.

The Radio Dept was our last show of the night, just pipping Brighton’s Mount Kimbie to the post for our late night entertainment choice. While a little more laid back than the Brighton boys, we did not regret our decision. Johan Duncansons’ Swedish four piece proved one of the dreamiest band’s we’ve seen in forever. A tight knit outfit who dress up gorgeous synth pop songs in layers of reverb, making them into soft shoegaze jams. The singles from their 2010 ‘Clinging to A Scheme’ album, namely ‘Heaven’s On Fire’ and ‘David’, proved the most immediate and uplifting tracks. But hats off to the more laid back jams, like ‘A Token Of Gratitude’, that against the odds, were just as enjoyable . The Radio Dept are a fantastically tight band. The only thing we didn’t like was the £20 price tag on their t-shirts!