Go! The Go! Team!

Who said New York City audiences were too cool for school? Some recent U.K. bands who have grown frustrated with the lack of fan participation at sold out shows include Hard-Fi (at the Bowery Ballroom) and The Dead 60s (at Rothko).

When Brighton's The Go! Team played the Bowery Ballroom on Monday night, it appeared as though the audience had been imported from another country as the crowd jumped and/or danced during the entire set. Perhaps it was lead singer/rapper Ninja's cheerleader outfit, or the fact that she had enough energy to become the captain of any American sqad, that inspired audience members to break away from tradition.

When Ninja and Kaori Tsuchida, who also plays the drums and guitar, pulled out the plastic flutes for"Get It Together," it reminded me of the introductory music classes in middle school. These kids had enough experience onstage to keep the masses entertained. Before "Huddle Formation," Ninja assigned parts of the chorus to different sides of the venue and the audience became her pep squad during the song.

The band played several new songs but the only one introduced by name was "Art School." Drummer Chi Taylor emerged from behind the kit to take over on vocals for "Hold Yr Terror Close." Dedicated to the couples in the audience,"Everyone's a VIP to Someone," had guitarist/drummer Sam Dook playing the banjo.

The Go! Team ended the show with an extended instrumental version of "Ladyflash." Ninja showed off her dance skills with, among others, the running man and a victory celebration dance.

The band plays another packed house at Northsix on Wednesday night.