BBC Southampton music

Sunday night is not the usual time for clubbing but the Bristol-based drum'n'bass trio have other ideas.

BBC Southampton's Abbie Collins threw some shapes with Kosheen.

The lighting is moody, dark and atmospheric tonight. It's perhaps the most striking display I've ever seen, that not only produces brilliant effects, but also enhances the mood of tonight's gig perfectly. Hazy white spotlights combine with blinding blue beams to create shadows that Sian, complete with rock goddess skin-tight leather trousers, dances in and out of, creating an eerie silhouette.

Add this to a huge screen at the back of the stage showing images of crowded streets, ripples of water and skyscapes and it makes for truly dreamy ambience.

It's just as well, as apart from Sian's dancing, there's not much movement from the rest of the band. They look as though they are just going through the motions. Or maybe they are just putting on their best dark and mysterious acts.

Either way, it's not getting the crowd moving. Even the incredible 'I could be listening to a CD' sound doesn't seem to help.

Kosheen have taken a lot of stick from fans and critics alike about their change in direction.
Speaking to Darren Decoder back in September he told me that their new, rockier sound was due to the fact that they wanted to improve their live performance.

I'm all for a bit of change but in Kosheen's case, it's a tricky situation to be in. They seem to be too dancey for the rock scene and too rocky for the dance audiences. It's a flaw that they are working to iron out.

Songs from their latest album, Kokopelli, such as new single Wasting My Time, are appreciated with polite cheers and applause. I have to admit that I found my attention wandering, although I stayed with them enough to think that the track Avalanche reminded me of something that the Sneaker Pimps might once have done.

It's not until Sian asks "Are you Hungry?" that a huge roar erupts and the audience begins to perk up as Kosheen introduce one of their biggest hits to date. Sian points her mic at the crowd who take the cue and sing the chorus back to her. But it was her next question that got the best reaction.

"Do you want some Drum'n'Bass Southampton?" she cried. Judging by the deafening cheer that answered her, this was what the fans had been waiting for. It's certainly where Kosheen seem most at home. Sian's strong voice echoes around the room while the drums get harder and the bass begins to resonate so much that you can feel it in your chest.

Playing a repertoire of thumping tunes from their debut album, Resist, Kosheen proceed to work up the audience. I'm surprised at how many songs I actually know. The huge club hits (Slip and Slide) Suicide, Hide U and Catch whip the fans into a frenzy until a sea of wildly bobbing heads resembles Friday night at your local underground club. This is more like it.

Kosheen may be in the middle of an identity crisis - are they are dance band or a rock band? - but at least they are keeping it contemporary amidst throw away bands that look to past decades for inspiration. They're looking forward, trying to merge two different genres whilst exploiting all the technology that is available to them.

They haven't quite mastered doing this while simultaneously keeping their fans happy but they can take comfort in the fact that they have brought drum'n'bass into the mainstream. Listen out for them - you probably know more Kosheen songs then you think you do.