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En route to this gig I was having some chatter with a particularly loquacious cabbie who, on hearing I was going to see a band consisting of five Brazilian girls, nearly knocked off his shift to come with me.

This is the third time CSS have played to a sold out crowd in Belfast in 6 months and, with Oppenheimer as support, there wasn't anywhere else in town to be tonight. Oppenheimer have been captivating audiences in Belfast for some time now with their perfectly crafted pop music. In the face of umpteen angry young men with guitars, their sweet yet intricate melodies ensured they were the perfect hors d'oeuvre before the crazy Brazilians stormed the stage. The Oppenheimer boys were on fine form, their modest demeanour not entirely squaring with beautiful songs, such as 茂驴陆Breakfast In NYC' and 茂驴陆This Is Not A Test' that would make Stereolab weep with jealousy.

Oh, but CSS, you are spoiling us! They have been playing here as often as most local bands but their following gets more ardent with every ironic clarion call of 茂驴陆CSS Suxxx!' Sure, tonight did not feature the spectacular entrance of the NME Tour and the stage was a little small to hold Lovefoxxx's contagious kinesis, but CSS are still one of the best live acts touring at the moment and did not disappoint.

Standouts were 茂驴陆Meeting Paris Hilton' (with a mass chant of 茂驴陆the bitch said yeah') and 茂驴陆Music Is My Hot Hot Sex'. With broken English, great hooks and a stellar front-woman in Lovefoxxx every song seems urgent and fresh, even if the patter was a bit more road-worn usual. CSS leave the stage with their vitality and allure intact, and their star firmly in the assent.

Caroline Magennis
Photos by Adam McCausland