Setting the acoustic scene

What a difference ambience makes. In a candle-lit room, barely bigger than your average car garage, Davey Macmanus and Andrew Stafford of The Crimea shuffle onto a concrete stage. Andrew’s keyboard is draped in a red velour blanket and Davey’s microphone needs adjusting. Their manner is unassuming. The proximity between the audience and musicians is practically non-existent. This is what the term "intimate gig" should mean. Raw, slightly grungy and with a sound system that has seen better days. Charmingly imperfect.

The Crimea are celebrating the launch of their latest single, Loop a Loop, better known to many as the song in the Trident Gum advert. Known for their experimental ways to release songs, the five-piece have created 16 different mixes for the record which they have exclusively given to music blogs. When Davey hummed the distinctive intro during the acoustic set at the 12 Bar Club there was the odd cheer and clap of hands but nothing too rowdy. That would have spoiled the moment. The crowd were content to sip their drinks and absorb the atmosphere.

And they were not let down. Davey was well-dressed for the occasion, with a red rose attached to his neatly-fitting suit. His performance was intense and heartfelt. So much so that he tended to close his eyes as if attempting to block out possible distractions. "It took me a weekend to think of this one," he said referring to Jellyfish; a song focussing on how the creatures are starved of oxygen despite being surrounded by it. The potential for the subject matter to come across as irritatingly pretentious was saved by the frontman’s obvious passion for what he does.