Run Toto Run at In The City… here is my review in 2 words: utterly spellbinding.

and here are a few more observations…

I don’t think I’ve ever been so affected by a girl’s smile in my life. As lead singer (Rachael Kichenside) stares down the lens during the opening number, and cracks a smile that is both enchanting and playfully cheeky, my knees almost go weak… either that or the 4-day cumulative hangover of 5am boozing sessions in the Midland is finally starting to kick in :)

The stage is ornately decorated with an exquisite selection of instruments (violin and double bass, keyboard with tubey thing (lol).. recorder, glockenspeil, guitars and a laptop), cut-out letters (which I guess should spell out the band’s name, but all I can make out are the letters T,U and N) and a turquoise blue birdcage… which you imagine wouldn’t look out of place onstage with Bat For Lashes.

The gig is being filmed for Channel M and the venue has absolutely gone to town with the incredible neon vertical strip-lighting that frame the band and regularly douse them in colourful clouds when the smoke machine kicks in.

In between songs the banter from Rachael is mischievous and amusing… when one of her band members walks offstage to grab a capo, she informs the crowd he probably has stagefright and needs the toilet. She also recounts the previous night’s antics ‘Japanese People plus free beer equals fun fun fun!’ or words to that effect.

I’m glad Run Toto Run played two shows at ITC because it’s difficult trying to see everyone you want, especially when the venues are so spaced out around town - clusters around the Northern Quarter and Peter Street, and the Deaf Institute utterly miles away. By all accounts last night’s set at Bedlam went down well with the delegates and it’s not hard to see why.

The influences listed on Run Toto Run’s MySpace - Surfjan Stevens, Mum, The Postal Service - should give you an idea of what to expect if you go and see them live…. combine those intricate sounds with hushed, breathy, whispered vocals … along the lines of Beth Orton, Regina Spektor, Natasha Khan and you’re almost there.

Lead singer Rachael seems to delight in delivering her songs individually to the audience members (when the Channel M stagelights occasionally dim enough for her to see out)… her eyes track the faces of the crowd, that beatific and enigmatic smile almost demanding one in return… it makes the whole experience so much more personal.

What follows is a wonderful set that gently eases the crowd into the final night of In The City. Outside after the gig it looks like we’ve happily just avoided a torrential downpour, and as we splash through the puddles for yet another long walk to the Peter Street venues on the other side of town, Run Toto Run have warmed our hearts a little :)

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