Is this thing on? Hello Europe....

MUSEXPO Europe 2008's newborn head had been well and truly wet by the time the live schedule kicked off. A cocktail reception at Carbon Lounge in London's Cumberland Hotel saw to that. The fine folk at Electronic Arts and A&R Worldwide generously provided social lubrication for the night ahead....

Melbourne rockers Skybombers had the privilege of opening proceedings for the live part of the inaugural Musexpo Europe in Metro. It was the UK's first chance to see the quartet, who's music was recently licensed by the aforementioned EA Games. Their single “It Goes Off,” was added to rotation on the influential radio station Indie 103.1FM Los Angeles. And it did indeed go off, as they say in these parts. Sporting an Aussie drawl which lent itself beautifully to many a rambling between-song story (“This is about when I was 19 and not doing very much with my life”...) singer Hugh led the assault on the audience backed by some of the most solid hooky, riff-laden rock you're likely to hear in this or any other hemisphere. Highlight for us was “If You Want To Be The One” (video), which even as one of their slow numbers still had plenty of snarling attitude. Job well done.

Over at The Borderline, The RGBs were the first of three acts flying the flag for the host country tonight. Three synth-obsessed English ladies and a drumming Frenchman, they certainly looked the part for their punk-electro musings. Technical gremlins aside("Welcome to electronic music" mused singer Becky, as the show came to an awkward halt), we didn't feel the songs made as much of an impression as the band's costumes, which isn't as uncommon as you'd think for female-fronted electro-punk bands. They did seem genuinely as mad as a box of frogs though, and with forthcoming help from Tom Cato of Groove Armada in the studio, we're sure they'll achieve their potential.

Zipping back over to Metro in time for the start of Dresden band Polarkreis 18's set was one of the wisest things we've done at a music conference. Currently riding high in the German singles charts with the insanely catchy 'Allein Allein', these five 23 year-olds didn't let up, right from the high-octane show-starter (the title track of their excellent new album). Resplendent in all-white, looking like a traveling evangelical troupe, they're quite the engaging prospect. Songs with dark, crunchy soundscapes are lifted by theatrical, sometimes operatic vocals from their frontman, who, to put it mildly, appears to have avoided the ugly stick. In other parts they throw out singalong choruses, soft pop touches and pulsating electronic beats. On paper, this should be a dog's dinner, but how beautifully it worked. Their second full-length album in Germany 'The Colour Of Snow' has just been released. W The comparisons name-check Sigur Ros, Radiohead and Snow Patrol, we were reminded of Danish band Mew ourselves. The point is, they showed the mettle to become a stadium-sized prospect. Check them out.

You may know Andrew Paul Woodworth from previous bands Virgil and Elephant Ride. You may even know his cover of Beastie Boys' 'Fight For Your Right' (YouTube), the first time the Beastie Boys have ever approved the usage of a cover of one of their songs - it was featured on TV show 'One Tree Hill'. "It's because of Musexpo that I'm...playing..Musexpo". Well put. What he awkwardly tried to tell the assembled crowd at The Borderline was that it was at 2006's Musexpo event that the LA-based musician caught the attention of Rodeostar Records in Germany, who promptly signed him. His Ben Folds-esque tales of heartbreak showcased a sharp and confident songwriter.

It's often said that in times of economic crises, people find comfort in the arts, and that artists themselves become more creative. Thank the current financial Armageddon for giving us Hertfordshire band Rotating Leslie then. "Fuck The Crunch" yelled their flyers. "Fuck Gordon Brown" (ooh, political!) yelled their singer, who was understandably hacked off at being made redundant from his job recently. But their umbrage at economic woes didn't filter through to the music, which was jangly, punchy and highly hummable Brit-pop at its strongest. Think Kaiser Chiefs meets Supergrass with a dollop of The Jam and you're getting close. Firey stompers like 'Mind On My Money' and gentler moments like 'Last Words of a Dying Man' show versatility and verve. Cheeky English boys with loud guitars will take our minds off the woes of Wall St, you mark our words.

The last waltz of the night at The Borderline belonged to the adorable thecocknbullkid ("One word, lower case, no apostrophes please." according to her MySpace page) aka East Londoner Anita Blay. She's DIY pop princess du jour in England with NME, The Guardian and influential BBC TV spot 'Later with Jools Holland' all frothing over her. And rightly so - the charming, classy and smart pop songs just trip out of her. Her sweet voice and unassuming stage presence belie the darker edges of her her beat-driven pop. On songs like 'On My Own' and new song 'Boys And Girls' she possessed enough to appease both the cool kids and the Top 40 punters. A delightful turn.

Come back soon - we're going to rest our fingers until the conference panels get underway on Tuesday. We're back with a full review of what happens in The Cumberland tomorrow. We're salivating at the prospect of a Global Keynote, a 'State Of the Nation:UK' panel, a digital summit and most of all, a chance to see Tommy Ramone (The Ramones) and Seymour Stein (Chairman, Sire Records Group) tell us young 'uns how it's really done. Stay tuned.

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[All Photos Courtsey of KC Morse]