RM's first ever trek to Kilburn's swanky Luminaire venue is not just for any random show. Oh no, this is the first date of the Xtra Mile Recordings and Big Scary Monsters Christmas Party Tour complete with a very special guest headliner. After carefully negotiating the full rainbow of different tube lines, Secondsmile instantly make the long journey worthwhile despite the fact that they're a guitarist down this evening. Taking the opportunity to try out new material before they head into the recording studio in February, an array of intricate finger tapping and expansive soundscapes all point to a band preparing to say a defiant goodbye to their post-hardcore roots once and for all.

Thanks to an accident on the M40, This Town Needs Guns arrive with only minutes to spare before the start of their set. Not that you could tell. With frontman Stuart Smith's eyes firmly shut and armed with that voice which could melt even the sternest of hearts from a thousand paces, a majestic 'If I Sit Still Maybe I'll Get Out Of Here' sounds note perfect before a turbo charged rendition of '26 Is Dancier Than 4' ensures they depart to a rapturous reception.

Boasting a sterling collection of fairy lights and tinsel, even the fact that drummer Phil Maughan's kit falls apart seconds into their first song and his microphone continually collapses throughout, absolutely nothing can stop a superb Dartz! tonight. Although they've been off the road for some time the trio are still brilliantly at ease in front of the packed audience, and a triumphant set is brought to a fitting end by a fantastic run through of 'Once Twice Again', with a bouncing front row joyously take care of the track's ingenious handclaps.

After all the energy and sheer entertainment factor of Dartz!, a lesser man would be in serious danger of being upstaged. But with his upcoming new long-player Love, Ire And Song almost wrapped up, it's clear from the off that headliner Frank Turner is no mood to be outdone, with an acidic 'Worse Things Happen at Sea' sounding particularly menacing early on. Over the course of the ensuing forty minutes, poignant new effort 'Long Live The Queen' points to great things to come from album number two, 'Thatcher Fucked The Kids' receives its customary mass sing-along and hilariously sh*t-faced label mate Chris T-T is dragged onstage for a run through of his 'The Huntsman Comes A-Marchin''.

As a chaotic stage invasion draws the show to a close, we're left reflecting on our return journey home that it's acts, labels and nights like this that reaffirm even the most jaded of us about the endearing vibrancy of the thriving UK independent scene.

Rating: 4/5 by Dan Jones

Further links

Secondsmile.net

Official website, currently under development

Frank Turner.com

Official site of the ex-Million Dead solo artist

Dartz! (Myspace.com page)

MySpace page for Dartz!, surprisingly enough

This Town Needs Guns.com

Official site of This Town Needs Guns