I arrived at the o2 Academy wondering what to expect. The crowd was a mix of ages and subcultures and I’m sure I spotted a small child somewhere in the audience.
I took my place at the side of the stage while two support bands managed to get very little enthusiasm from the audience. They’re Coming To Get You Barbara were first on stage. Their clumsy nerd rock failed to impress and the loudest cheer they got is when they left the stage.
Swound were next and were a lot better. They bounced on stage and made a lot of conversation with the audience, offering gifts of crisps in various packaging. The crowd warmed to their punk pop, which was reminiscent of 90’s American bands Nerf Herder and The Offspring, with shouts and bouncy riffs.
Electric Six began with a very long classical song being played over the speakers. The band took to the stage looking extremely casual, and singer Dick Valentine had a glint of mischief in his eye. They looked like someone had thrown some hillbillies into a designer clothes shop and a jumble sale before placing them on stage. Despite the unusual appearance they were musically perfect. Electric Six very much have their own sound, but it’s not the kind of annoying samey rock as their first support band.
Dick Valentine commanded the stage. He is known for his wacky character and he lived up to that tonight. He wore a Hawaiian shirt, a full grey suit and a metallic green cape. The layers quickly came off as the show progressed.
Comedy was interlaced with shattering psychedelic music; Valentine delivering one liners and intricate stories before songs that he then danced to or performed press ups during. The crowd were drawn in by him; laughing away at him as if he was an Uncle at a Christmas party.
The band remained professional and looked very relaxed and ‘rock n roll’. They were clearly very rehearsed and musically you could tell they were all experts in their field.
Songs were played back to back. Classics such as ‘Gay Bar’, which was met by ear shattering audience interaction, alongside new tunes.
Their tongue-in-cheek act went down a storm and it was nice to see a band who don’t take themselves too seriously, they just make brilliant rock ’n’ roll.
