Happy-clappy Scissor Sisters substitutes, The Feeling, are a bit worse for wear this evening. The dungeon-like Beirkeller is roughly the same temperature of Mount Vesuvius in the height of summer in hell having a barbeque. This is taking its toll on the drippy Feeling lads; "Even my knees are sweaty", exclaims lead singer Dan Gillespie-Sells. Whinging about your climate isn’t rock and roll, is it boys?

And that is exactly the point of The Feeling, it isn’t rock and roll: it is pure pop with riffs. Punters expecting the next soft rock favourites to loin the line currently habituated by the Keanes and Snow Patrols of the world will be disappointed. The Feeling are all about the cheese, and that is the way they like it. This is perfectly demonstrated by the rapturous girly screams that singles ‘Sewn’ and ‘Fill My Little World’ get, and rightly so since these pop morsels are played with perfect precision and a bucket-full. The boys also take this chance to show off cutesie masterpieces yet to be released; tonight’s highlight, ‘Join With Us’, is classic up-tempo teeny bopper material with Madness style piano and an infectious repetitive chorus.

Although the more recognisable material gets a generous amount of attention there are moments where the crowd enthusiasm lags; the band don’t do so well during slower numbers such as ‘Rosé’ and ‘Same Old Stuff’, not to mention other questionable moments such as the overly twee ‘Love it When You Call’ and Disney style encore choice ‘Blue Piccadilly’.  However the surprising stage presence of Dan Gillespie-Sells often gets them out of the odd duff moment.

The Feeling may not be here for the long haul, and may not be in anyone’s coolest band list of 2006, but they do a good job of feel-good throw-away pop. They are a must see for anyone wanting a light lift from the toils of life. For everyone else, it may drive you mad.
(3/5)

Check for Live Dates