Club Fandango is one of London's best-established indie nights. And this September will again see the organisers put on A Fistful of Fandango, a four-night 'festival' at 229 on Great Portland Street.
The format's straightforward. One venue, two stages, four evenings and a slew of indie bands - some you'll have heard of, some you probably won't.Folky Franco-Swedish duo Herman Dune get things off to a relaxed start on 9 September. They've never enjoyed widespread commercial success, but their live performances have garnered great reviews and can be full of surprises, with special guests, covers and more.Too laid back for your tastes? Check out Future of the Left instead. Their rockier, urgent sound should bring a darker side to proceedings the following evening.Other acts that night include KASMS, a spiky, low-fi four-piece (singer Rachel Mary Callaghan's forceful style is most likely to stick in your mind) and Dinosaur Pile-Up, who'll have more than enough fun to make up for anything they lack in sophistication.Things get chirpier on the Friday as Reading's Pete and the Pirates take to the stage. They're easy to like and have some memorable tunes, but we can't help thinking their slightly lightweight sound would be better suited to a sunny afternoon in a tent at Glastonbury.Finally, A Fistful of Fandango's last night will see Art Brut bring everything to a close with their arty, infectious and articulate sound. If their lyrics don't put a smile on your face at some point in the evening then honestly, an indie night's probably just not the right place for you.On the Saturday you'll also be able to catch hotly-tipped Hatcham Social and The Molotovs, who - to our ears at least - sound a bit like what you might end up with if you crossed Vampire Weekend with the Rumble Strips.Fistful of Fandango takes place at the 229 venue from 9 - 12 September. Tickets are £12.50 each night and you'll get a discount if you buy a pass for two, three or all four evenings. See the official website for the full lowdown.
