Rhian Daly reports on BBC Electric Proms – The Junction, Cambridge 2 Nov 2007

Artist Visiting Cambridgeshire
Taking over Camden for two weeks, the BBC put on a variety of household name bands in all of the Borough's best known music venues. Joining acts such as Paul McCartney and Kaiser Chiefs on the bill are a handful of unsigned bands, the best of which have been chosen to tour the length and breadth of the country. We join them at the last night of the tour, as the Electric Proms bus rolls into Cambridge...

Psychedelic indie band, Radio Luxembourg, take the stage first and get the swelling crowd moving with their sweet melodies. Hailing from Wales, the four boys occasionally revert to the language of their homeland, adding to the quirkiness of their sound. Songs such as Cartoon Cariad and Where Is Dennis? ensure the night gets off to a great start, setting up perfectly for the rest of the acts in store.

Sam Isaac is a solo artist from Malvern, west Midlands, but tonight is playing with a full band, an experience that makes his twee indie folk songs sound all the more life affirming and uplifting. Enjoying a large crowd, Isaac plays songs from his Sticker, Star and Tape mini-album such as When The Silhouette Drops and Carbon Dating, as well as new songs I Traded My Friends and Bears, all of which seem to capture the audience's hearts, judging by the reaction he gets.

Northampton is currently a burgeoning hot bed of musical talent, producing the Mercury nominated Maps amongst many future stars, so it would be silly to dismiss New Cassettes, angular indie popsters, with catchy guitar riffs and even more infectious lyrics. The five piece make a great first impression, racing straight into Lighthouse, fit to burst with 'woahs' and 'ohs', before rattling through You Won't Stop, Sore Eyes and Yeah, before ending on new single, and standout track of the night, Recover/Retreat.

Closing the show is London rapper, Riz MC. Performing his thought provoking but fun tracks like People Like People and Sour Times, he provides an entertaining and different end to the night for the remaining audience members. Finishing off his set with an extended version of his controversial song Post 9/11 Blues, he invites the rest of the bands on tour to join him on stage, leading to a hilarious rendition of the track, complete with awkward dancing and drunken vocals. All in all, a good night out showcasing some of Britain's best unsigned talent. Roll on next year!

Writer: Rhian Daly