The Old Blue Last has quite a reputation for showcasing some of the brightest unsigned talent around, and tonight is no exception. Dan Croll caused quite a buzz on the indie scene with his breakthrough single ‘From Nowhere’ and could definitely be one of the bright lights of 2013. 

Support comes from Shake Shake Go and Cold Crows Dead. Shake Shake Go have an infectious brand of bluesy folk pop and a lead singer who sounds like an Irish Florence Welch (which is a good thing). They have just come off a busking tour of Britain, and look mightily glad to be playing indoors for a change. They have a real energy on stage, and look like a band that really enjoys their music. Cold Crows Dead are much more psychedelic, with nods towards Mew and Flaming Lips. There are some decent melodies and it all sounds very uplifting in an Embrace-kind-of-way, but the songs don’t do enough and the vocals are not the strongest.

But the man everyone is here to see is indie super kid Dan Croll. Looking like a young Tom Vek, he walks on stage unassumingly. His set is full of variety, from acoustic songs to funky numbers with a reggae twang, like some kind of one-man Little Comets. He almost spoils it by committing a cardinal sin of live music – not performing his hit single due to ‘technical difficulties’. Luckily, his new single is almost as good. But you can’t help feeling that the omission of ‘From Nowhere’ leaves the crowd feeling a little disappointed and the set peters out a little.

Croll has a great voice and knows how to pen a good tune, so 2013 could be a big year for him – especially if he can iron out the technical problems!