The other day, four boys walked into my college who, due to their youthful gait and cool/dickheadish, very un-Cambridge garb, I assumed were freshers.  Just as I was thinking how refreshingly uncharacteristic they were, however, our porters stopped eyeing them suspiciously to herd them back onto the street.

Having arrived early to the Haymakers venue and settled into a corner plus one friend and plus two pints, my fashion-perving eye became similiarly aware of some girls distinctly not-of-this-bubble: all immaculate shift dresses, lace, make-up, hold-up stockings.  Just as inadequacy was seeping in, they bounded onto the stage.  Apart from the frisson of the wasted close contact, it restored the status quo as effectively as the porters’ expulsion had.

Tuning up, Twiggy-incarnation singer Elizabeth ‘Z’ Berg purred that Cambridge was the “prettiest city they’d ever seen” – confident that they offered King’s Chapel some competition. It was as if the girls from Almost Famous had formed the band rather than aiding it.

Z’s honeyed opening to Wishing He Was Dead (‘If I could kick his head in…’) evokes that tradition of all-American Blair Waldorf/Catherine Merteuil girls who shoot daggers with smiles.  The only technical hitch, when the bass failed, might actually have been my highlight of the show: to fill the gap, Z showcased her iridescent voice with an acoustic cover of ‘Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow’.

However, despite their musical heritage (not bringing up that notorious rockstar-father pedigree) of shoopy-sweet Shirelles or Supremes, they proved powerful and commanding musicians, quickly winning over the pub audience.  Drummer Tennessee Thomas was particularly impressive, combining frenetic energy with cheerful smiles and a prim dress, a nice change from the usual sweaty gurning percussionist.  Playing exclusively from their second Ronson-produced album and pleasing both old fans and new convertees: it’s all happening for The Like.