PORT O’ BRIEN (London Borderline, 18/08/09)



I’ll be perfectly honest- I wasn’t expecting much from this. A couple of songs apart, Port O’ Brien’s recording output has never really set my world alight and their support slot for the Silver Jews indicated a band with little to elevate them above the mire of similar folk-rock ensembles. But I was wrong. True, some of their output is the kind of workaday indie the West Coast seems to pump out by the gallon but there’s some very solid numbers there and it’s all delivered with such effusive, grin-inducing energy that even the weaker moments don’t grate. Plus they had Two Gallants’ Tyson Vogel on drums, and that man is one of the most phenomenal percussionists in the world. Watching him in full flow is almost hypnotic, it’s like he has a personal vendetta against every square inch of his drum kit; if you haven’t seen him in action, you owe it to yourself to rectify that. A surprisingly excellent performance from a band I’d previously dismissed, I’d be more than happy to check them out again when they return to London in November.

(Photo: Anika Mottershaw)

BROADCAST 2000 (London Luminaire, 14/08/09)



Another solid evening of music courtesy of London’s most dependable music venue. We Aeronauts continue to cement their status as one of the UK’s most promising new live acts, the multitudinous multi-instrumentalists combining solid indie-pop melodising with sterling musicianship and charming stage presence. Brooklyn’s Forest Fire weren’t quite as endearing with their ill-advised moustaches and moments of monotony but hell, they can’t half rustle up a magnificent racket when the mood takes them, whilst Broadcast 2000 have a nice line in dazzling glockenspiel solos, but sound way too much like Noah and the Whale for my liking.

(Photo: Anika Mottershaw)

DEVOTCHKA (London Cargo, 11/08/09)



Review: HERE

(Photo: Anika Mottershaw)

THE NATIONAL (London Royal Festival Hall, 10/08/09)



Although The National hail from Cincinnati, their London shows always seem like homecomings. It’s my ninth time seeing them, so there‘s little I can add to all the gushing praise spouted elsewhere in this blog- they continue to marry exceptional songwriting and intensity like few other acts, the perfectly-judged percussion never fails to impress and Matt Berninger‘s still a surprisingly effective frontman for all his shyness- tonight saw several ventures into the audience and an ill-fated attempt at sliding around on an ice-covered stage. I’m still not entirely won over by the new songs (except opener Runaway) but the Alligator/Boxer-heavy setlist sparkled with a multitude of gems and a rare airing of oldie Available was a welcome treat for the many hardcore fans in attendance. A powerhouse performance from a truly special band, it’s surely only a matter of time before they break through into mainstream consciousness and get the widespread acclaim they wholeheartedly deserve.

(Photo: John Gleeson)

PITCHFORK FESTIVAL (Chicago Union Park, 17/07/09-19/07/09)


Review: HERE

(Photo: Chris Alvarez)