The band came together through busking in Brighton, with Ren, Romain Axisa, Gorran Kendall and Glenn Chambers forming the group. That background helps explain the immediacy of their approach. Street performances have to catch attention and hold it, and The Big Push place a lot of emphasis on rhythm, vocal character and the feeling of musicians responding to one another.

Their Busking Sessions collection provides a useful introduction to that side of the band. It includes their versions of songs such as “Englishman in New York,” “Wade in the Water” and “I Shot the Sheriff,” alongside other live performances. The interest comes from how a recognisable tune becomes a vehicle for the group’s own interplay, rather than simply a chance to repeat something familiar.

Different voices are part of what makes the performances engaging. A change of singer can shift the colour of a song, while the playing around that voice keeps the momentum connected. The best moments have a sense of give and take: a vocal phrase invites an answer from a guitar, the drums tighten the groove, and the whole band seems to lean into the same moment.

Their original material deserves attention too. Can Do Will Do offers another way into The Big Push beyond the covers, with songs including “Mannequin” and “When She Goes.” Hearing the originals alongside the live collection gives a fuller view of the band. It lets you consider the writing as well as the performance, and the relationship between a memorable song and the musicians bringing it to life.

The possible limitation is that a great live atmosphere can sometimes overshadow the song itself. Energy, strong playing and a charismatic delivery are powerful ingredients, but they are most convincing when the musical idea underneath them is just as clear. The Big Push are at their best when the groove, the vocal and the structure pull in the same direction, giving you something to remember after the performance ends.

For The Fat Llama, the right introduction is a live video followed by a few of the originals. Let the group’s chemistry catch your attention, then explore what they do with a song of their own. There is plenty to enjoy in the directness of their playing: music that can make you stop what you are doing, pay attention and want to hear the next performance.