The Orielles, The Crescent, York, February 26

SELLING out over a week ago, The Orielles' appearance at The Crescent on Tuesday night was a hotly anticipated date on York's live music calendar.

Consisting largely of songs taken from last year's debut album Silver Dollar Moment, the Halifax band captivated with a set that explored a complex array of influences and genres.

Let Your Dog Tooth Grow flowed seamlessly with rattling percussion and jangly melodies, sat beneath catchy hooks in lead singer Esmé Dee Hand Halford’s distinctive, feathery vocals.

Throughout, guitarist Henry Carlyle interacted humorously with the audience, joking about global warming and the north-south divide, warming the crowd with his charisma.

While intensely delving through genres from disco-funk to garage and psych-rock, The Orielles balanced the sonic experience with the simplicity of their songs' lyrical impact. Introducing the likes of Henry's Pocket and Blue Suitcase (Disco Wrist) to be as literal as their titles, the band's youth and their fun experimental edge shone through.

The Orielles' exploratory, unique yet hugely funky sound appears to be evolving further, since the addition of fourth member Alex Stephens on keys. Ending with a cleverly intertwined mix of recent single Bobbi’s Second World and Sugar Tastes Like Salt, the room was filled with a vibrant explosion of outlandish synth lines, as electric blasts of instrumentation provoked the crowd to leave dancing and happy.

Review by Ellie Nolan