NME Indie Rave Tour at the Plug, Sheffield, 18th February

Now after the broadsheets have moaned to the high heavens, the original ravers claim it isn't like the good old days and the Klaxons have actually released some music, it appears the new rave movement is finally coming to a close.

So as the NME's Indie Rave Tour rattles into Sheffield the time has come to separate the hype from the talent. So as the New Young Pony Club start the evening its hard to distinguish between where the Yeah Yeah Yeahs influence ends and the band's originality begins. Lead singer Tahita sounds so similar to Karen O that at moments it’s embarrassing as the rest of the band stand in the background, concentrating more on their looks than the latest chord sequence.
And still as the Sunshine Underground swagger onstage the show takes another stage dive when they try to blend Oasis and Arctic Monkeys into dance music. With the addition of painfully out of tune vocals it's a wonder there's still an audience to perform to.

But as Lovefoxxx emerges pogo-ing to 2 Unlimited as the audience shout "CSS SUXX!" it's obvious why the crowd have been holding out. CSS' songs of fun and partying suddenly brighten the room's mood as Lovefoxxx strips to a full body leotard and runs through the crowd. She then holds out a five pound note aeroplane offering it to the first person to strip naked.

As the band launch into 'Musik is My Hot Hot Sex' CSS, unlike New Young Pony Club, do not have to try to be cool, they are cool. With the rest of the band resembling amateur European porn stars there's something about CSS' music which instantly makes a rowdy crowd sexy, and as they finish with 'Lets Make Love and Listen to Death from Above' the warped sound against the fast paced guitar has the already pumped up crowd gagging for more.

But of course as tonight's headliners burst into their rendition of 'The Bouncer' screaming "If you're not from Sheffield you're not coming in!" it’s obvious who the crowd are here for. Jumping together before erupting into total pandemonium James accidentally hits the "DJ!" tab on his keyboard repeating at a fast pace as the audience barely miss a beat responding with "OH OH OH!" Building until the bass line makes way for 'Atlantis to Interzone'. Within seconds the room is a sea of sweat, on and off stage as the band play through Myths of the Near Future.

As the set continues its clear Klaxons have improved from their endless touring. The band as a whole are now not uncomfortable with the audience, but rather the very opposite. Where previously tune ups were a pause on a quiet stage, now the gap is filled with yells of “Come on Sheffield!” while the keyboardist pounds the air to the thumping bass. Yet the band also display a little innocence on stage as they fall over one another, with guitarist Simon left wandering aimlessly finding his purpose as the others take centre stage.

The band rarely stray away from the hits of the album, the one exception being 'Isle for Her' which is mainly used as a breather for both band and audience. As James and Jamie harmonise the line "Just keep on going" for a moment they almost seem to be saying it to one another as they catch a breath in between numbers.

However the band suddenly retrieve their energy as lead singer James reaches out into the audience snarling the finale of the night, 'Horsemen of 2012' leaving tonight on a euphoric high, proving that New Rave may be dead, but the Klaxons are just beginning.

www.myspace.com/newyoungponyclub

www.myspace.com/thesunshineunderground

www.myspace.com/canseidesersexy

www.myspace.com/klaxons