After spending a day out shopping in London with the lady, I really needed a bit of a wake up call to get into this gig. After eventually managing to get into the darned venue, you are met with what you could essentially believe is the hall time forgot. Set in two (arguably three) rooms, the stage is petit, to say the least. No barriers, no security guards, and such potential. The 500 capacity dungeon little venue is the perfect setting for this kind of gig… so tonight I feel I may be forgiven for feeling a little bit empty at the end of the show.
First up were The Blackout, a six piece post hardcore /emo/screamo crew from Wales. A double whammy upfront presents the band with an interesting sound, as one vocalist adopts the reigns of the singing whilst the other, and quite possibly the campest person in the venue that night elopes his own distinct version of screaming. A thoroughly energetic performance, but one which feels distinctly reminiscent of better times. Think early Finch meets current Hidden In Plain View, but Welsh… and you are half way there. Ten out of ten for enthusiasm, but lacking quite considerably in the originality department. It was, however, quite entertaining to watch them and in that respect they deserve to do well, but I won’t be holding too many hopes out for them as this already saturated scene flounders in the midst of the entirety of London’s music scene diversity.
Photo: Brigade. Casually, like. © 2007 TeenSpot.comBrigade was next up. I’d heard of Brigade, but not heard them, so tonight I appreciated them without an ounce of bias. For me, a live act makes or breaks the band. At the end of the day, being able to perform on CD is one thing, but pulling it off live, is another. Brigade presented the audience with an almost Feeder type offering, had Brian Molko of Placebo been the lead, anyway. Immediately establishing themselves as thoroughly professional, they almost walked all over The Blackout; who’s shambolic performance was put quintessentially to shame by this solid performance, but they didn’t for one reason. They were so darn forgettable. I’m going to buy their CD… I want to get into this band. Their performance was perfect, maybe it was me who was in the wrong here. I should listen out more carefully… Brigade. Check ’em out.
Hidden In Plain view were of course the nights well anticipated headliner. The last time they were here they were representing team screamo at the Drive Thru Invasion tour and only had time to play six songs due to being one of five bands scheduled to play that night. That performance was excellent. Tonight, they could take their time to really perfect their game. Alas, it wasn’t to be. Anyone who reads my reviews or even simply knows me will probably know of my unhealthy desire to be at one with Drive Thru Records and all artists on it; which obviously includes HIPV… so yes, I’d love to write about how it was amazing, breathtaking, monumental and unforgettable, but unfortunately just ‘ok’ will have to do. Their album, as featured here on TeenSpot just a little while ago was, to be blunt, pretty damn good. So tonight, expectation was running high, and the new album offered the guys lots of ways in which to please the practically begging crowd.
Photo: Mickey Mouse? Not even Betty Boo! © 2007 TeenSpot.comThey somehow managed to squash 11 songs into a set which lasted just over an hour. They played everything I wanted them to play, and the crowd were hyped to the brim, but for some reason tonight it just didn’t click. Maybe it was the fact it was the last date on the tour. London often acts as a great finalé for bands, but tonight it was more of a dreary goodbye as the obviously exhausted boys painfully traipsed through their set. Even poor Rob from HIPV who got hit in the face by a microphone quite hard (thanks to an unwitting crowd surfer, who, thanks to no barrier/security landed on the mic stand sending it all flying) and who then took his anger/pain out on a guitar and broke a string all in the space of five minutes (*breathe*) tried his hardest, but it simply wasn’t cooking tonight. Musically, they were exceptional as ever, but energy wise, they was lapsed. It’s something that fuels the crowd, and perpetually fuels the band back… tonight, it went astray, and it was a shame… but I know they can do better. Anyone who went will know this, so go home, have a re-charge, and come back stronger. We’re waiting for you