Boxer Rebellion

Boxer Rebellion are not a band that have had it easy. After the implosion of Alan Mcgee's Poptones label back in 2005 and the near-death experience of lead singer Nathan Nicholson due to a burst appendix, nobody would have been surprised to see them fade into obscurity, but Boxer Rebellion have shown an uncanny ability to roll with the punches.

The early start to the night means only a handful of fans arrive in time to hear the introspective tones of Brooklyn-based We Are Augustines, whose layered guitars and intertwining drum patterns lend themselves well to Cab Vol's rather intimate setting.

By the time Boxer Rebellion take to the stage the audience has grown immensely. From the outset Nicholson's agile vocals cut through the registers gracefully and after some initial feedback issues the band prove that they sound just as good live as they do on their records. Truly international in nature, with Englishmen Adam Harrison (Bass) and Piers Hewitt (Drums), Australian Todd Howe (Lead Guitar) and Tennessee-born Nicholson, their multiculturalism shines through and Boxer Rebellion come across sounding like the love child of The National and Echo & the Bunnymen.

Despite using occasional self-deprecating banter to put the audience at ease, if the band are lacking in any area it's most certainly stage presence. Although the audience becomes more involved at certain stages, 'Evacuate' being a particular highlight, at times it feels like you're listening to the album: not necessarily a bad thing but some variation in an act is often what makes live music so worthwhile.

Unsigned since the decline of Poptones, Boxer Rebellion have demonstrated resilience to say the least, and with the release of their new album The Cold Still and back catalogue material like 2009's beautifully crafted 'Union', Boxer Rebellion could turn out to be that rarest of beasts, an independent band with commercial clout.