A gig at the Thekla is always a treat to behold; there is something unique about seeing a band perform in the bilge of a boat. ThereÔÇÖs a buzz when embarking, an excitement in the air. It says something however, when a band formed in 2011 and once hailed as ÔÇ£the UKÔÇÖs answer to The KillersÔÇØ is just selling out shows for 500.

When Spector emerge the, mostly teenage, crowd go wild. It canÔÇÖt be denied; lead singer Fred MacphersonÔÇÖs vocals are impressive. Spector waste no time in diving into their set; starting with ÔÇÿStay HighÔÇÖ before moving to ÔÇÿCelestineÔÇÖ. The band are tight, with a strong on-stage presence. ItÔÇÖs undeniable the crowd loves it.

Peppered through the set thereÔÇÖs lyrics like ÔÇ£friday night, I don’t want to wake up aliveÔÇØ. In contrast to the catchy melodies that accompany them, the lyrics seem almost perverse. Combined with the lead singerÔÇÖs out of place dance moves, itÔÇÖs hard to take Spector as seriously as they would like. ThereÔÇÖs a disharmony between their lyrics and stage presence; an arrogance that leaves an air of pretentiousness.

ÔÇ£This is the first time in my life weÔÇÖve sold out a gig in BristolÔÇØ, Macpherson starts, ÔÇ£And itÔÇÖs the first time IÔÇÖve been proud to be in BristolÔÇØ. Statements like the latter go some way to explaining the former.

Support by Spring King was superb, and arguably providing a more exciting set that the headliner. ÔÇÖMummaÔÇÖ was an instant hit with the crowd, getting the boat rocking and warming the cold October air. Their set went from strength to strength. Finishing up with, ÔÇÿCityÔÇÖ, the crowd were well and truly psyched. With performances like this, itÔÇÖs easy to see why Zane Lowe chose Spring King as the first band to play on Beats 1.

MARK SWEENEY