Live Reviews

Little Comets @ Norwich Arts Centre 17.02.2011
The Newcastle reared rock group Little Comets have had a storied past leading up to the release and subsequent touring of their debut album In Search Of The Elusive Little Comets. From guerrilla gigs in the M&S bakery aisle to being signed and then ceremoniously unsigned by Columbia records just over a year ago, there has nearly always been some form of hype following the band. All of these tenuous anecdotes are rendered irrelevant, however, if the goods can’t be delivered in a live setting, and in this case, it is in front of a surprisingly packed and diversely aged crowd at the Norwich Arts Centre, a venue which, in keeping with the agricultural heritage of the local area, is something of a needle in a haystack itself.
Posted on Feb 22nd, 2011
Moddi @ The Wilmington Arms, London 13.02.11
Last year, as Bearded made it’s way through the fairy light strung trees and animal masks adorning their trunks, we chanced upon an impromptu performance in a mock living room nestled in the heart of enchanted woodland at Dorset's End of the Road festival.
Posted on Feb 18th, 2011
Trophy Wife @ XOYO, London 09.02.11
Incredibly new Oxford-based band Trophy Wife released their debut single 'Microlite', and performed their first live shows, in November last year. They've already supported Foals and Bombay Bicycle Club, and this night is the last of a two-week tour as main support to Esben & The Witch. With new single 'The Quiet Earth' due for release in two weeks, and a string of positive reviews from many reputable publications under their belts, it was definitely time to check them the heck out.
Posted on Feb 15th, 2011
MEN @ The Lexington, London 08.02.11
Brooklyn-based “band and art/performance collective” MEN, the colourful and energetic new project from the brilliant Le Tigre's JD Samson, play a defiant mix of punk-disco and electroclash with playful pop sensibility and poignant political sentiment. Having released debut album ‘Talk About Bod’ on February 1st, the group play the first show of their European tour to a sold-out venue of incredibly pretty punters, breaking the barriers of English conservatism in the most important way possible.
Posted on Feb 11th, 2011
Joan As Police Woman @ The Barbican, London 06.02.11
Joan As Police Woman are described by front-woman Joan Wasser as “punk rock R'n'B”, though from their recorded material, this is not apparent. The songs are pleasant enough, and Joan's authentic soulful tone both soothing and sassy, but the records generally lack in attitude and distinctiveness, each song tending to blur into the next in a manner that may lead one to better describe the band as “easy listening”. The live experience, however, put these recordings to shame, and demonstrated exactly why Joan As Police Woman deserve the hype that they're receiving.
Posted on Feb 10th, 2011
Broken Records @The Deaf Institute, Manchester 03.02.11
Posted on Feb 8th, 2011
Conquering Animal Sound/Ten/Alisia Casper @ The Packhorse, Leeds 04.02.11
For anyone who knows the Packhorse as a venue, the fact that the small room with the ‘village hall’ feel served as the perfect intimate atmosphere for tonight’s set of soft songwriters will not come as a surprise. As we walked into the room, it felt entirely natural to join the rest of the audience on the floor with our legs crossed in virtually silent anticipation of what would be quite a mystically transcendental gig.
Posted on Feb 6th, 2011
Justin Townes Earle @ Union Chapel, London 29.01.11
Justin Townes Earle has a hell of a pedigree, and a pretty decent back story too. He may have recently relocated to New York, but this skinny, moody, charismatic troublemaker is as Southern as fried chicken and old-time religion.
Posted on Feb 4th, 2011
Treefight For Sunlight @ Hoxton Bar & Kitchen, London 20.01.11
Considering this is the first live show performed in the UK ever for the quad, the hidden gig hall at the back of the Bar & Kitchen is almost at capacity. Perhaps the hype on 6 Music a few weeks back has spurred public interest? Either way, Treefight For Sunlight’s nine song set showcases the self-titled album that is yet to be released in the UK.
Posted on Jan 23rd, 2011
Benga @ Fabric Nightclub, London 16.01.11
Tempa’s resident wild man and one of dubstep’s seasoned veterans, Croydon born DJ/producer Benga brings his trademark sounds to Fabric, one of London’s most seasoned venues.
Posted on Jan 23rd, 2011
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