First of all a big thumbs up for a two band bill; There's just no need to pad out a quality line up with masses of lesser bands, it always kills the buzz, forces the shows to run late and spoils the 'event' no end...all IMHO of course.
Tonights warm up is Lawrence Arabia, the girlfriend and I have the following conversation at least five times during the evening:
She: I liked that Lawrence of Arabia
Me: It's Lawrence Arabia
She: That's what I said...Lawrence of Arabia
The New Zealanders don't help themselves by breaking a string first song and then displaying an alarming inability to fix it, their amateur status is magnified by the inane comments and the inevitable Flight Of The Conchords comparisons arise during the ten minute awkward interlude. The singer actually looks like a skinny version of Murray.
Eventually they are re-strung and ready to go. And the rest of their set is a rather impressive bunch of off-kilter wonky pop songs that tilt slightly towards the alt-country vibe and display the groups close knit harmonies. The harmonies are a touch over played at times and they are in danger of going all Barber-shop Raga on us. 'Apple Pie Bed' and 'I Smoke Too Much' being particular stand outs.
It's slightly confusing as to why they spent so long fixing aforementioned guitar string when as soon as it was fixed the guitarist spent large chunks of the remaining set on Trumpet, and why wasn't the guy playing tambourine tasked with fixing it while the rest of the band got on with the songs...or where was the spare guitar or the guitar tech??
The band did manage to pull it off and regain some momentum towards the end of their set and their songs are certainly worth checking out, even if they don't promise to blow your mind.
Beah House are a three piece tonight, vocals, guitars and drums although large parts of the set are on a backing track. Which is sort of dissappointing but then the album is such a carefully crafted sonic affair that perhaps this is the most logical process. Front lady Victoria Legrand peeks out at the audience behind her massive fringe and her sultry vocals melt my soul and help me forget how annoying this venue is; If there's more than 10 people in attendence you're not going to see a damn thing.
They play most of the latest 'Teen Dream' album and at the start of almost every song I proclaim to myself "this is my favourite one". What they play tonight is virtually identical to the album so stand out tracks are the same...Norway, Zebra, Used To Be...if you've heard the album you'll know there's not a duffer in sight so it's all good.
As a live entity there's not a great deal of charmisma or show(wo)manship. It's them playing the songs, almost identically as they sound on the album. The songs in themselves are masterful, catchy and timeless. As they approach the end of the set the flashing fluffly lights at the back of stage flash faster out of sync and Legrand places her hands on her knees and moshes to the powerful (if slow paced) backing. They declare they won't do an encore as there's no where to go if they leave the stage so they'll just play another song after they close their set with the fantastic 'Take Care'.
Whilst Beach House arent the most vibrant and exciting live show you'll see there's no doubt that the music they have created on 'Teen Dream' is an essential sound for 2010 and despite it's early release date is destined to feature in many End Of Year album charts. They play to their strengths and there's nothing wrong with that, in fact if I'd been able to see more than the top of their heads it might have been easier to engage with the show. I can't help feel a little dissappointed but then I think that was partly down to having ridiculous expectations, watching any awesome band in a venue where you can't see anything is always going to leave you a little aggrieved. Ah well onwards and upwards!!
