Live review: Unicorn Kid

[Photo: Jane Barlow]

Tuesday 16 February
King Tut's, Glasgow

"I threw up twice in my mouth" pants Oli Sabin, AKA Unicorn Kid as he lumbers upstairs following an intense hour-long rave-a-thon; his neon facepaint now fading with the sweat.

Given the sheer effort he puts in tonight - jumping, headbanging and riling up this mashed-up mass of hyperactive fellow teenagers - it's surprising he even makes it to the end, narrowly managing to avoid keeling over or spontaneously combusting under the infamously molten hot King Tut's lights.

The 14+ crowd are putty in his hands from the off - it only takes the slightest glimpse of his now customary lion hat to send this caffeine-riddled crowd into school disco chaos. But the Kid really goes all out to keep up with them, barely standing still long enough to catch his breath, sip some water or, indeed, swallow his own spew.

Regardless of whether you love or hate this kind of thing it doesn't take long to realize why ridiculously intricate, 8-bit dance epics like 'Lion Hat' and 'Wee Monsters', hammered together with Sabin's unwavering enthusiasm and ability to be his own hype-man, keeps these kids on their toes.

Ultimately, tonight's brightly coloured assault offers a perfect excuse to dance, chant and batter glow-sticks in the air like a nutter - and the kids think so too.

Words: Ryan Drever

Unicorn Kid - Lion Hat