ActionAid’s Six Degrees project is a worthwhile initiative, its aim being equal rights for women all over the world.

We’re always happy to drop a couple quid in a bucket wielded by an enormous, wig-wearing cross dresser. What we’re not happy about is a sketchy line-up, technical issues and some downright shoddy performances.

For some reason, some of the real draws – like New York rapper Princess Superstar – were doing DJ sets in the bar upstairs. In the theatre, bands like thecocknbullkid were being destroyed by technical issues (not their fault) and a singer who hardly moved (definitely their fault).

Then Micachu and the Shapes came on, and it all got a little weird. They might make catchy, slightly disjointed pop on record, but live they are a disaster. Micachu herself seemed painfully awkward on stage as she bashed away at songs that had zero semblance of structure.

We turned around and looked at the crowd. Why is nobody storming out? Why are people bobbing their heads? What’s going on? What parallel universe have we stumbled into? Maybe they think it would be rude to leave a charity gig.

So while we wholeheartedly applaud ActionAid and would absolutely encourage you to lend them your support and your cash, we do wish they’d pick better bands.

Rob Boffard