Buffalo Bar, Cardiff | Thurs 10 Dec
Much is made of Lincoln Barrett’s abstinence from narcotics, usually by drug-addled bores, so it’s strangely appealing to watch him DJ to a reasonably sober crowd in Buffalo. Tonight we hear at least two of his latest tracks as alter-ego Two Fisted Tales in the midst of a house set that isn’t that far away from his signature d’n’b sound at all – all shrieking, uplifting vocals and catchy hooks, ebbing and swelling. The name, by the way, is based on a series of war comics from the 1950s, and the music has all of the immediacy of his drum’n’bass, minus the punching snares and moneyshot breakdowns. By my reckoning it’s been almost a year to the day since his last house set in Cardiff at the now deceased Glo Bar, and tonight’s show was at least 2 3/8 times more exciting, not least because the man now has a clutch of celebrated house singles to his name. Anticipation must be building in all corners of the UK. If tonight’s set was anything to go by, it’s justified.
Good for: vegetarians, people who like dance music
Bad for: “Wot no Racing Green” wimps
