NEWS/LIVE: Boxed In plays debut London headline show

*Originally published for The Line of Best Fit (3/12/13)

An in-demand producer and musician Oli Bayston of Boxed In has helped pen songs for the likes of Lily Allen but the release of his debut single, 'All Your Love Is Gone' in November pushed him into a new limelight. An excitable crowd gathered at London’s The Waiting Room last night to hear what all the fuss is about.

The wood plated walls of the Stoke Newington venue were a mirror to Boxed In’s snugly packed structures and melodies. Better still, the room burst at the seams with fans and friends all eager to be a part of his headline show.

Every song was as tightly performed as the former – be it the strict motorik rhythms on 'All Your Love Is Gone' or 'Subtle Knife'‘s house music inflections. For many a fervent fan out there the performance gave them a strong taste of what’s to come: from smart dance music to upbeat, jazz-inflected pop.

Setlist
Mystery
Foot Of The Hill
Subtle Knife
Run Quicker
No Joke
Sailing
All Your Love Is Gone
--
False Alarm – The Melody (Carl Craig cover)

NEWS/LIVE: Wild Beasts play new material in Oxford

*Originally published for The Line of Best Fit (29/11/13)

Wild Beasts last unleashed their emotive, off-kilter pop songs on Smother more than two years ago. Last night, a loyal crowd in Oxford got the taste of new material on their tongues.

It was the third show of the Kendal four-piece’s intimate UK tour, but the apprehension onstage at Oxford’s O2 Academy 2 could have convinced anyone it was their first. Not that the band lacked any professionalism; there stood four musicians effortlessly swapping instruments or playing such acute attention to songs that it was like pressing play. Merely, the bandmembers’ boundless thanks and delighted faces proved that their new material – including 'Sweet Spot' and 'Pregnant Pause' – were more than well received. Relief swamped the stage.

As expected, old favourites 'Hooting & Howling' and 'All The King’s Men' were the sparks that lit the fuse in the close space. The floor might have quivered underfoot for these performances, but the new songs had everyone enchanted.

Setlist
Wanderlust
Reach A Bit Further
We Still Got The Taste Dancin’ On Our Tongues
Sweet Spot
The Devil’s Crayon
The Fun Powder Plot
Pregnant Pause
Albatross
Hooting & Howling
A Dog’s Life
Loop The Loop
Bed Of Nails
This Is Our Lot
All The King’s Men
Lion’s Share

NEWS/LIVE: Glass Animals play a packed homecoming show in Oxford

                             Photograph taken at The Great Escape Festival in Brighton by Andrew Novell.

*Originally published for The Line of Best Fit (15/11/13)

Glass Animals have had a busy summer diet: European festivals, new singles and even closing a deal with producer Paul Epworth’s (Primal Scream, Bloc Party, Adele) new label, Wolf Tone. Last night saw them digest it all with a packed-out homecoming show.

The small space in The Jericho Tavern, renowned for housing Radiohead’s debut gig, was well suited for the close textures of Glass Animals’ experimental sound. Better still, it enabled vocalist/guitarist Dave Bayley’s abstract and poetic lyrics to float between the many pairs of ears stacked to the front. Bayley is a natural frontman, with finely-tuned support from his bandmates.

The gig also gave the four-piece the chance to debut new material; 'Gooey' and 'Fresh Coast' sounded almost as established as buzz-hits 'Cocoa Hooves' and 'Black Mambo'.

A taste of what to expect of their debut album (due to be released in March/April 2014) hung heavy in the air at the show’s close, but at least we won’t have to wait too long for new recorded material. The band plan on releasing a mixtape as a late Christmas present in January.

Setlist
Exxus
Dust In Your Pocket
Psylla
Gooey
Golden Antlers
Fresh Coast
Cocoa Hooves
Toes Wyrd
Black Mambo