Not quite as Bella as it should be

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The Cocteau Twins were the quintessential Eighties indie band: fey, cryptic, gloriously uncommercial and in possession of a devoted fanbase who pored over every release like it was a dispatch from a relative beyond the grave. In the summer of 1997 the trio formed Bella Union, a record label seemingly cut from the same paisley-patterned cloth. By luring acts with a promise of artistic freedom that the major labels wouldn't match, they weathered the post-Britpop malaise with a string of unusual musical propositions.

However, in an age when MySpace has spoiled us for choice and bands like Ash don't have the attention span to release more than a song at a time, are music fans still prepared to nurture boutique labels such as Bella Union? This first of two 10th anniversary shows (the second featuring Midlake and The Dears tonight) offered several revealing clues. Things got off to a dismal start as new signings Beach House wailed aimlessly over a funereal drum-machine beat, before compere Paul Morley came on to tell us that Bella Union was one of few labels he could still trust.

Thankfully, My Latest Novel's chiming chamber pop and ornate four-part harmonies followed swiftly after, suggesting a bright future as a Celtic riposte to Arcade Fire. Any further progress was stunted by Fionn Regan's precocious Little Lord Fauntleroy-meets-Bob Dylan shtick.

Howling Bells' frontwoman Juanita Stein rallied the band, as they applied Wild West atmospherics to her garage rock snarls and girl group heel stomping. But if Bella Union want to make it to their 20th anniversary, more care and attention is needed on the overall package.

Bella Union: My Latest Novel, Sleeping States, Here We Go Magic, Chimes & Bells
Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre
The South Bank Centre,Belvedere Road, SE1 8XX