The Big Pink + The XX + Loverman + A Grave With No Name
Date: 23 April 2009
"This wistful, encompassing band combine dance rhythms and drone rock that go together like strawberries and cream."
The ICA bar was packed with the capital's coolest, eagerly waiting with anticipation for The Big Pink's end of tour show. Hotly tipped by NME and BBC's 'sound of 2009,' it is no surprise that the London crowd are twittering excitedly about tonight's gig. There is a definite buzz in the air. After travelling all over the UK, they have landed with a bang in their hometown ready to feed the crowd with a little Pandora's box full of musical joy. Along for the ride, are their tour comrades, The XX, Loverman and A Grave With No Name, who as support acts shine just as bright as their headliners. This is an exciting line-up of new musical ecstasy; no wonder the gathering crowd is pulsating with excitement.
Starting the night off, A Grave with No Name is the first to play. They certainly get the night rolling to cheers and whoops from the crowd. On stage they all look slightly awkward together, like high school rejects with guitars. Though their music seemed to join somewhere in the middle and left my ears aching for more. Loverman drew in more of the bar crowd, and kicked you in the face in the best possible way. These lads knew how to perform and tightly captivated the audience.
The XX took hold of the reins next. Their poetic harmonies that hum together soulfully carry you off into a dream world. A packed venue broodingly listened, hanging onto their every lyric. The XX really stole the show and your heart, as the atmosphere dazzled. People were sent to the stars with The XX's sleazy, pensive, aching, yet enticing, performance.
The Big Pink was the big headliner. This wistful, encompassing band combine dance rhythms and drone rock that go together like strawberries and cream. They easily managed to carry the crowd back from the stars of The XX to the ICA with a delicate little thud. The crystalline, wonderful drone of the Big Pink set the crowd back to sparkling from the sleepy hue of left by their predecessors - The XX. Cheers once again echoed the crowd and excitement built up as they indulgently fed you song after song that carried the crowd to a darker dream.
The whole night was a bit exceptional; each band complimented each other to create a bit of an explosion. It felt like Christmas, but with a little bit more sparkle, and an overdose of musical presents.
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