My long time friend, as well as legendary London based DJ Rusty Egan (he of The Blitz Club), has long championed Electronic music. I'm also one of the thousands of followers of The Electronic Café online forum, set up by Andy McNab and Mark Wibrow, who deserve every accolade for their enthusiasm and dedication to promoting and keeping the flame alive for this genre. Consequently, I was recently grateful for the direct introduction to these great guys after the cool Tiny Magnetic Pets gig at The Camden Club in London. Now in its fifth year, this led to my invitation to tonight's Electronic Café Live 5 gig featuring Aircooled with Plastic Estate as support, which, of course, I was delighted to accept!

Naturally excited at the prospect of hearing some Synth and Electronica, I arrived at the venue with a warm greeting from the security guy ("press? - we know you – go on!") before descending into the smaller space of the 229 venue, with its smooth, intimate, urban ambience. Perfectly suited to the understated, cool crowd, the friendly vibe was evident with strangers chatting and looking forward to this special gig. 

Talking of strangers, thanks to Marc C who not only talked to me about his excellent manga-esque yellow and black t-shirt, but also shared his considerable musical knowledge as my appetiser before this evening's two acts came on! Indeed, like all those present tonight, Marc loves Electronica. It’s a genre which is appealing, popular, has elements of Trance, Krautrock, Synth, Pop, dance and chill. Overall it's a great composite groove thing to sample and I commend it, as well as being relaxing and sophisticated too!

After the intros by McNab and Wibrow, Cardiff-based contemporary Synth-Pop duo Plastic Estate made their way on to the stage, comprising two sharp suited, sleek, talented dudes, namely Nicholas James (vocals/synths) and Stanley Fouracres (synths/guitar). Their music had a definite, beautiful, melodic Synth  beat. Comparisons are cheap given the originality and style in their set, although if you wanted to look for any arguably associated influence, to me Depeche Mode and  Talk Talk sprang to mind! Although Plastic Estate own their music, which nicely blended in with the noir-esque stage and lighting, producing a moody, hypnotic, endearing set.

Their cool album cover 'Code D’Amour', is illustrative of their sophisticated sound  and smooth style, where mainstream Pop appeal amongst the melancholic, meets melodic overlay. Contemporary young masters of their genre, extended versions including 'Kind of Love', 'Divinely Impaired',  the special '2000 Ways', 'This Place', 'Anymore' and 'Innocent or Guilty', delighted and really had me plus my fellow audience members honed into their urban cool, late night stylish bar, cum lounge, Synth-Pop zone. Blending high end, New Wave Sophisti-Pop and Chillwave, while also having been championed by BBC Radio 6  Music and Duran Duran’s Simon Le Bon, tonight Plastic Estate deserved the accolades for their super appealing Synth sound.

With a very apt name for a band, as well as an equally impressive pedigree, tonight was headliner Aircooled's closing gig on their 2026 tour. Based in the hipster South coast of St. Leonards, along with a recording studio, this Synth Supergroup comprise Oliver Cherer (ex-Gilroymere, Dollboy, Mick Berenyi Trio) on vocals and guitar, Justin Welch (ex-Elastica, Piroshka, Lush, Suede, Jesus and The Mary  Chain) on drums, Katharine  Wallinger (ex-Wedding  Present, Viv Albertine) on bass and Riz Maslen (ex-Neotropic, Future Sound of London) on vocals, flute and keyboard.

Their superb, super slick set, not only showcased their latest 2026 album, 'My God It’s Full Of Stars', consisting of the wonderful 'Kepler', 'Azmar', 'Delirious' and the insightful 'Idiots', but we were also treated to 'Star Rider', 'Sing Pilgrim Sing' and 'Transmission Transmisson' from their 2024 'Eat The Gold' album, as well as 'Offenhausen 360', taken from 2022 album 'St Leopards'. Attuned, attitudinal, sharply intelligent in style and indeed uber cool, from their album cover artwork to their addictive Synth meets Alt delivery, tonight this quartet’s music moulded the airwaves molecules, enveloping and wrapping its sound around us all!

Tonight I salute both bands! I also salute Mark and Andy for this live gig and your superb musical taste! Carry on doing what you do. This evening, Electronic Café not only thrilled a live audience, but it also continues to delight thousand worldwide.

Review, photos and video: Denise Lester