Kinch are probably the closest thing you can get to a modern Madness and they are causing quite a stir in the indie scene. The Leeds lads have enjoyed seeing there fresh hit “Old Fashioned Love” sail towards the top of indie charts.  Their instantly recognisable saxy sound complete with tambourines and tidy vocals is, to be honest, hard to take a dislike to.

The songs are easy on the ear and funky bass and guitar playing ensures each track with a radio friendly atmosphere.  Just about in their teens its pretty exciting to hear such a confident unique sound from four young men with a lot of career years ahead of them.

Supergrass, Pendulum and Utah Saints have all been considered worthy enough to share a stage with Kinch (Ok maybe the other way round) showing the vast genres the band are capable of sticking their metaphorical fingers into.  A man named Chris fronts the band and supplies some terrific vocals that are not to dissimilar to The Kooks and this helps to create some wonderfully chirpy tracks.

Now I am not criticising, but there is not lots of material out yet from the four-piece but the tracks that are available do not dissapoint. As mentioned earlier “Old Fashioned Love” tops the list as the hit debut single but “Everybody’s talking about it” and “A Little Story”showcase consistent talent from the band. Catchy claps, melodic sax playing and punchy guitar chords accompanied by some tidy drum playing mean that the band has a recipe for success so look out for these guys in 2009.

iTunes have announced 10 days of gigs starting next Thursday as part of their iTunes Live series. All the gigs will be available to download from iTunes after the 10 day festival is over. Last year’s festival was a bit later in the year, but were a significant success – dare I say it, but this years gigs aren’t anywhere near as impressive – I mean, come on, Nizlopi headlining? Tony Christie? Really?

The gigs will take place from February 21 to March 2 at AIR Studios, Lyndhurst Hall, London. The artists will play acousticcally for what is sure to be some very special evenings. Tickets cannot be bought, and are only available from the iTunes Live website as part of a ballot..

Thursday 21st February – Jose Gonzalez, Charlene Soraia, Julian Velard and Stephanie Dosen
Friday 22nd February – Nizlopi, Soweto Kinch
Saturday 23rd February – Alphabeat, Joe Lean and the Jing Jang Jong
Sunday 24th February – Billy Bragg, KT Tunstall, Foy Vance, Leo Abrahams
Monday 25th February – Daniel Merriweather, Estelle, Tawiah
Tuesday 26th February – Charlie Winston, Natalie Clein, Tom Baxter
Wednesday 27th February – Laura Marling, Mystery Jets
Thursday 28th February – Jason Mraz, Ron Sexsmith
Friday 29th February – TBC
Saturday 1st March – Roisin Murphy, Tony Christie
Sunday 2nd March – Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Spiritualized

Photo of Roisin Murphy is taken from her myspace.