Credit: Found On Internet

It’s Monday night and the starboard side of Bristol’s famous ship-club Thekla is surrounded.

A van disperses the crowd into cues and clumps and spews band equipment, hurriedly heaved into the club by the first band to go on. Due to unknown delays no one has sound-checked tonight and all three bands will deal with failing instruments and shy monitors. For Foals, a band obsessive about sonic precision, with an average age of 21.6 and hype following them around like a puppy with abandonment issues, this chaotic scene should be a test of their mettle.

But first the Birmingham trio, Great Eskimo Hoax, open in earnest. With heart-on-sleeve lyrics, 'I was an Englishman' features dew-clear notes taking a slippery journey around the guitarist’s fretboard. Although quite different on record, tonight their songs sound like they have mixed purposes, and when they finally settle into their unhurried groove, one more technical fault sends them hurriedly off stage.

From mid-England to Auckland New Zealand and from wiry new wave to the unashamedly grand - next up is Cut off Your Hands. In what might have been garish and trite, sandwiched between more technical bands, their anthemic power pop is irresistible. Even with failing mics, the blithe melody and honest ambition of 'Still Fond' shines through the off-key accompanying oohs, and the unexpected Sonics cover 'Witch' is a perfect counter point to their Killer-esque indie pop.

As Foals take the stage in disarray, instruments tuned and mics tested as they go, a band hierarchy is quietly asserted. Lead singer and guitarist, Yannis Philippakis, clearly not comfortable with the imperfection of the last-minute sound-check, galvanizes the band’s spirit with his irritation thinly veiled by affected nonchalance, randomly stabbing chords from his guitar over enigmatic banter.

Although Foals have a reputation for their attention to technical detail, this rushed gig seems to spur them on, giving them an agitated energy that elevates moments of 'Hummer' and second single 'Mathletics' to a maniacal level. It also fits their paradoxical music – shouted vocals and math rock-precise structures that are both catchy and danceable.

Somewhere in the midst of 'Cassius', Jimmy Smith gets carried away swaying his guitar on the edge of the stage, and cracks the fretboard on a fan’s waving hand. Not missing a note, he gestures sincere apologies and promises of compensational drinks, then slowly turns to the band, recharges and continues with his thrashing convulsions. The scene would be hilarious if it weren’t for the band’s tangible sincerity. As for the fan, she instantly forgets, again joining the undulating crowd. It seems that with tonight’s mix of limitations and passion, Foals can do no wrong.