Model Aeroplanes, The Caves, Edinburgh, gig review: Like Bombay Bicycle Club after an extended Caribbean holiday

Model Aeroplanes are unrelentingly optimistic and upbeat

“We're from a lovely tropical paradise about 60 miles north,” jokes frontman Rory Fleming-Stewart.

Without descending into Scottish stereotypes, Dundee is not a city commonly associated with sunshine, laughter and the joys of life. So it is remarkable that it has produced a band as unrelentingly optimistic and upbeat as Model Aeroplanes.

“We're from a lovely tropical paradise about 60 miles north,” jokes frontman Rory Fleming-Stewart – who has a tattoo of a model aeroplane on his arm – a few songs into this youthful band's lively 45-minute set in front of a packed crowd at one of Edinburgh's most atmospheric music venues.

Model Aeroplanes sound like what might happen if Bombay Bicycle Club took an extended holiday in the Caribbean, and although their debut EP has only just been released, their disco and new wave tinged, impossible-not-to-dance-to songs have already won them a record deal with Island and a legion of very young and very enthusiastic fans.

The band have cited the Beach Boys as an influence, evidenced by the sun-drenched harmonies on songs such as “Innocent Love”, which went down a storm with the crowd. "Club Low", the band's instantly catchy and tropically-rhythmed stand out single, is about two people making the most of their mutual misery. Well, they are from Dundee after all.