For anyone who grew up in the 80’s, Carnaby Street’s over inflated snowmen recall the Stay Puft marshmallow man from Ghostbusters, and if that wasn’t sinister enough there is a silent disco occurring metres away that is about as quiet as a T4 presenter with a hangover. We dive into the Number 22 store for the launch of S***R's ‘The Greatest Hits Collection’ as goody bags filled with the CD and a booklet of the bands featured, with striking photos taken by Mattia Zoppellaro is handed out. The men’s footwear brand was established in 2001 and has designers such as Cassete Playa on board and fans ranging from Thom Yorke to Kings of Leon. The brand has also spotted a clever niche in the market by appealing to the indie queens who can look like a real-deal Katherine Hepburn.

After that it’s over to the secret venue or the Revue Bar in the heart of Soho for the gig. It used to be strip tease and the poles still attract a fair bit of mounting later on. Despite the name, first band Stricken City is perfect pop in the vein of Life without Buildings and singer Rebekah Raa spasms around behind keyboards in a sequined skirt like the perfect diva. They have a great batch of bittersweet songs like new disco-tinged single ‘Lost Art’. Dear Thief on their more aggressive songs actually manage to capture what Mark E Smith sounds like when he spots endangered wildlife….which is a good thing. With singer Akiko spreading herself over to two bands over recent years and PRE playing on an almost continual basis it’s nice to hear the dirge of Comanechi and see Akiko back on the drums.

The night ends surrounded by bottles of whiskey in the tiny backstage area and chewing the fat with Rebekah about how men’s shoes for women are ‘the shit’ and I couldn’t agree more as my leaky trainers buckled in the rain on the way back home.