Date: December 9th 2006
This is set to be a great show, with a bill as lauded as it is. The Grates – we’ll refrain from making any ‘great’ jokes – provide childish exuberance and amusement. If anyone can warm up a chilly crowd, it’s Patience Hodgson, and she does a marvellous job. ‘Howl’ and ’19-20-20′ make quite an impression, and it may be the crowd interaction that’s putting a look of awe and fear of being singled out on peoples’ faces. ‘Rock Boys’ wouldn’t be what it is without Patience climbing down in to a tightly formed circle on the floor, twirling her ribbon like a pro – she calls it “making love on the dance floor” and who are we to disagree?!
Oxford Collapse provide more on the comedy front, looking like a laid-back, local garage band. At least we know for a fact that they’re local. The entertainment continues. ‘Please Visit Your National Parks’ is an upbeat track with softer backing, and the whole set is evenly split between dancier tunes and low-key strumming. They look like they’re just having fun and aren’t too fussed about looking polished. Many a jab is aimed at their new pals We Are Scientists (new album to be called ‘Obvious Shit…’ or not) and there’s a stir when the band in question makes a guest appearance or two.
Unfortunately, We Are Scientists are underwhelming when compared to their opening acts. They are left with nothing to supply, even the stage lights aren’t turned on properly, making them look like a gloomy underground band. Sure, the younger-than-usual crowd laps it up, singing along slightly out of tune to ‘Nobody Move, Nobody Get Hurt’ and ‘The Great Escape’, and arms are waving in fannish delight; it’s everyone else who fails to see what the fuss is all about. The small talk that runs a little long wedged in between every two songs or so doesn’t help either.
All the elements for a good show are there: the catchy tunes, the amped up home crowd, and a small, intimate venue. But it somehow falls a bit flat, and if you close your eyes, it’s almost as if you’re standing in a crowded room just listening to a really loud soundsystem.
Previously published on This Is Fake DIY.
Tags: grates, Live, Review, we are scientists