VWF @ Cardiff Barfly

Kids, feel privileged; Cardiff have snatched their darlings back from the alluring clutches of Londinium and festival season and here we are - so what are we waiting for? But before we begin, and for the benefit of those gathered who give a damn - this is gig two of 'The Cardiff Year'. Unbelievable, an attempt to induce longevity... can we talk about VWF now?

Cardiff: the rain has started falling as September draws to a close. The temptation to descend into Dylan Thomas despondency and start warbling on about milk woods is growing, and that can't be good. BUT VWF are back in town *just* in time. It's been a busy schedule this summer for VWF - headline slots at Club NME down at Koko, playing the Hoxton scene and festival appearances including Secret Garden Party and Truck. And that means growing interest in a band that have remained too big a secret for too long. The revolution is at hand.

The set opens with forthcoming single Family Man, which is - to be frank - an utter slut of a tune. It's grimy, it's possessed and it's awesome. It probably deserves to be a dancefloor anthem for the dandy boys and girls in underground clubs nationwide, pissing on the generic indie-by-numbers rubbish that has a habit of stealing the show. In a similar vein, Let It Go and Sleep It Off are sweat-inducing, sense-cajoling teasers and my god how they strike through the heart.

Get Your Kicks and Burst Into Flames direct the set towards it's close, with the clearest nods to influences such as Primal Scream. Maybe it's the raucous temperament, the combative, swaggering bass hooks or the punching melody, but it's so damn good it's the closest you'll ever get to banging your head against the wall in such a way that would induce the ultimate orgasm. In fact, there's probably no other sensation that can boast that. Sounds good don't it.

But there we go. Swept up in a cacophony of brass licks, Jameson's and fervent melodies, the night seems to be an abrupt interruption to events. And the rain, the ceaseless rain. But like all festivities, it only ends when you let it end, so to the aftershow in Glo-bar, I think I've done enough to earn a (nother) drink.