New Yong Pony Club @ Oxford O2 Academy

The '80s look had been fused with something more modern and sleek, but it was the music, much rawer, yet also more complex and with more subtle, thoughtful lyrics, that took centre stage. Now I like a bit of nu-rave as much as the next girl, but even I’ll admit its potential for depth is limited.

This was something different. While the band still played favourites like Ice Cream from their first album, the majority of the songs, taken from their new album, The Optimist, were much richer, more multi-layered and sophisticated.

The four-piece, predominantly female band opened with Chaos, a blend of old and new. It had the characteristic bass and solid beat which got people moving, but the quasi-spoken style soon gave way to stronger, freer vocals - a preview of what was to come. The range of the band was impressive.

They went from the dark and melodic Architect of Love to, midway through, the more pop-like Lost a Girl, with its robust vocals against gorgeous harmonies. The songs, mainly written by vocalist Tahita Bulmer and guitarist Andy Spence, certainly had edge, and definitely made you want to dance, but were also imbued with a more vulnerable emotional resonance. Bulmer, sporting leather shorts and half-shaved head - with the locks now dyed platinum blond - was quite spiky as the band’s frontwoman.

There wasn't much banter or crowd interaction, but this was made up for by loads of energy on stage and a very tight, almost polished performance.

Fashion-model-beautiful keyboard player, Lou Hayter, and drummer Sarah Jones, who also plays for Bat for Lashes, were seamless and provided evocative vocal back up.

The eclectic crowd picked up on this energy; the venue wasn’t packed but it was full enough and those who were there were rocking and responsive.

It was obviously an audience of fans.

New Young Pony Club is a band I’ve always enjoyed dancing around to - their live performance didn’t disappoint and offered some music ripe for close listening as well as dancing.