It’s always nice seeing American bands such as Emery coming over and rocking a sold-out London venue for the first time. Die-hard Emery fans have been waiting some time for them to come over, and this was their first headline show in the capital. Hailing from a small town in North Carolina, they were very humbled by the turn out and reaction by the crowd tonight.
Combining Alternative Rock with Hardcore/Screamo, and even some Melodic Rock bits thrown in for good measure, these guys were here to put on a show for their loyal and devoted fan base. Playing a good range of material, even reaching back to their debut 2004 record with numbers like Fractures and Walls was a treat for new and old fans alike.
Their new stuff is a lot heavier than the old stuff, but still carries the emotive vocals from Toby, and the constant switching of instruments is impressive and hard to keep up with.
With the Barfly being the size it is, rather than them walking off for the traditional encore, a ‘scream as loud as you can’ with their back turned really showed you how these fans enjoyed their set. They even ended the night with a track that pretty much everyone at the show knew. Studying Politics got big for me on a Tooth and Nail compilation, and it really is a catchy pop punk track, and a good way to end the night.
*Mark Allen is a student a Surrey University where he is the music editor of the student newspaper. We are very proud to have Mark join us here on The New Current sharing his passion for music, bands, and live gigs. You can follow Mark on Twitter @mrkallen and can read more of his reviews by clicking on the link above.
OK Go heading to Concorde 2 last night was something of an early highlight for us. 2010 is going to be nuts and we needed something to ease us into the New Year and we knew OK Go where going to just that. But something of a surprise for lovers of great music is when the support band offer you something you never envisioned and this is only the second time that a support band or artist has proven to be on par with the main act.
Wave Machines are a band you need to know!
Their music has light sprinkles of 1980s New Romantics vibe with a slight dash of a more mature and gentler Muse sound but this aside Wave Machines have some else. Big 70s funky base marry so well with the lead singers vocals which at times are so sweet and innocent
They seem shy as a band and last night it took a little bit for them to work over their band. Some issues with the feedback was all over when they played their last song from their album ‘Punk Spirit’ which is, without question, one of the finest and well crafted songs I have heard. The track starts off with a warm simple rift with drums being addedThe music and lyrics seem to go through a gentle dance and the harmonies are perfection. As the song goes on towards its climax neither the singer or the musicians over do it, the drums remain in the background but make a none offensive cry to be in the front.
Wave Machines finished on a perfect song and one that had won over a crowed who where, unfortunately, here for OK Go. Punk Spirit has a certain honesty and beauty and is a track so well crafted it will leave you with chills down your spine, and live the guys meant every note and every word. This song should be in anyones top ten, and the band should be shown some respect. As a song it lacked nothing and the more I listen to it the more I realise how perfect and beautiful this track is!
The Wave Machines had a bit of a stumble and something strange was happening on stage but by the time they got to this track all was lost and they had seriously won over the crowd.
Silent disco is anything but silent! Take your headphones off for a moment and the chanting voices of the crowd, combined with the beat of dancing feet, resonates through the room to produce a hubbub of noise and commotion. Put your headphones back on and you’re offered a fantastic mix of music, with a choice of two DJ’s playing everything from commercial Pop to underground Dubstep.
Concorde 2 played host to the return of this unique club concept, its popularity was proven on Friday as even though the event had been rescheduled twice it still had a good turn out. Id never been to a Silent Disco before and I had always been curious it soon became apparent that as soon as you remove your headphones there is an immediate loss in atmosphere but it is also impossible to talk to your friends with them on. The trick is to move one earphone to the side but if your like me and have a little head this may prove difficult!
The mixture of two different tunes leaves the dance floor looking extremely un-coordinated and without the headphones you’ll soon realise how many people can’t hold a note, but this proves to be both weird and wonderful. Look out for these nights in the future their sure to offer an unusual and extraordinary experience for every club goer. Make sure you look out for the many people who forget their headphones are on and shout at the barman for a drink!
Jessica is one of The New Current’s latest additions and we are really glad to have her be part of out team. As well as reviews and some future interviews Jessica is the official photographer of The New Current. All images are copyright of Jessica Thomas 2009. Jessica@thenewcurrent.com
V. V Brown had another treat for the crowed last night as she embarked on her headline tour. There are bands that come on the scene that make you open you eyes and release that in all the rubbish and forgettable manufactured bands out there one can slip through and really make you pay attention. After Jay Brown opened the show with her incredible performance we got introduced to The Stow…and nothing could have prepared us for what they have.
Their fusion of music styles has left me speechless and I found myself smiling throughout their entire set that was punctuated with a class and professionalism that many bands should look and an admire, this is the way a bands introduces themselves to a new audience.
Just before their set I saw Shi standing in the crowed while Jay was on stage, I was going to say ‘Hi’ but since she didn’t know who the hell I was I thought I would just let out a small smile, weak I know. It took little time for them to set up and once they had sorted themselves out it went dark and Will hit the drum which let out such a sound I almost fell over Jessica. Bringing two styles of music like this together can be risky, the indie flavours mixed with British hip hop could have some dangerous results but The Stow have done something here that is quite simply original and the sound they produce is nothing short of perfect.
The Shi & Hayden work together in a brother/sister type way and the duo have such a respect for each other and seem to really know their pace which helps ensure the balance remains firm and in place. You might think it’s odd to keep going on about this ‘music style’ but you only have to look at what happened with Jay-Z when he played Glastonbury last year when hip hop or new untraditional music is brought to a traditional ‘indie’ festival things can get heated. So when you’re standing there and are hearing drums, base, electric guitar and awesome lyrics come together in a fusion of indie styling with a hip hop flavour you have to give the guys credit.
Matt and Dave, Dave who was sporting some funky pink CKs – it’s what we notice, who paid bass and guitar respectively brought the indie sound the band seemed to working to the front. Dave was beyond into the music and at one point he did a solo that was so beautiful you simply would have had to have been there. An that seems to be how they are able to, as a band, work this so well. They love the music and know just how to play it so that you first enjoy it and you second respect it. Matt and Dave where joined by Will on drums and there you had it. A band.
Musically this could have gone very bad and something tells me they know this but The Stow just had the right balance you need to make a 5 piece band work this well. Shi and Hayden worked the crowed to perfection and their energy was helped by solid lyrics and a remarkable performance. Few bands will do what The Stow have done and even fewer bands will be able to pull it off in such an effortless way as this band, this band have only been together since the start of this year, this I can not believe!
V V Brown did something that few acts that are starting out on their first UK headline tour would dream of doing and giving up part of her stage for two incredible British acts. The crowed loved them and the future is going to be a pretty busy one for them.
