Leeds experimental outfit Vessels have all the rock and roll credibility of an IT department team bonding night out – and what’s more, with their scruffy beards and brightly coloured T-shirts, they actually look like tech geeks. All apart from one of them, that is, who resembles a Bond villain’s henchman, thanks to his chiselled jaw, blonde quiff and sinewy arms.

Sadly, he’s the most thrilling element of the night. Opening with what sounds like an air raid siren going off, Vessels, who describe themselves as ‘post-rock’, slide into a loose-limbed, dub-tinged groove accompanied by plenty of muso nodding from both the band and the crowd.

Crashing guitars are soon followed by proggy synth washes, weak vocals and lengthy drum workouts. At one point, there
are two drummers on stage – scary stuff, eh? Worryingly, I even spot a bass being played at chin height.

Electronic beats - think Kid A-era Radiohead - and chin-stroking trance-like passages ensue, and at one point, I’m unsure whether the group is actually playing a song, or merely tuning up. Technical problems merely serve to exacerbate the frustration.

There are few sadder sights than a bunch of grown men all freaking out together, to some sort of tuneless, self-indulgent dirge – and sadly, we see this all too often tonight.

By the time a turgid, funk-rock number explodes on the scene, I am holding my head in my hands. Post rock? I’ve had more fun at the post office.

Sean Hannam