(Tue 4th / 7.30pm / £5)

Local Kid brings on The Evens, a duo from Washington DC who play stripped down, almost folk-like, variations on the rock song. Their sound relies on intimacy as much as intensity, their lyrics as politically charged as they are emotionally wrought. Yet at the heart of the band's dynamic is a certain quietitude and sensitivity that ties all this together into a strong pop sensibility.
With this in mind it may come as a surprise to many to learn that punk luminaries Ian MacKaye (Fugazi, Minor Threat) and Amy Farina (The Warmers) are the faces behind the project, but then again on closer consideration it shouldn't. The same vitriol and passion burns as brightly in this band as in any of its predecessors, the only difference being the subtlety with which the message is delivered. Live, the band performs seated, choosing to route their vocals through guitar amps rather than through the usual PA. In-between song repartee and jokey asides promote participation of all kinds (we're talking collective singing, whistling and finger-clicking here folks). These things contribute to the band's ability to powerfully connect with their audience on an honest, straightforward level. Having the confidence to speak out and openly means a lot to this band, and what better way can they achieve this than by actively encouraging an understanding familiarity between themselves and their fans.