Music > Live Reviews

Wild Beasts // The Waterfront - 15.03.10

10/05/13

Lone Wolf. Singer and guitarist Paul Marshall kicks of the night at the Waterfront. Lone Wolf's debut album 'The Devil and I' comes out on Bella Union in May. He has a very sophisticated sound which fills the venue making up for the lack of people. The performance was good but a little self-indulgent, it felt a little like David Gray at times (maybe?), but a good set.

Next up Erland & the Carnival, Erland Cooper, guitarist, singer from remote Orkney. This band has some pedigree, guitarist Simon Tong (The Verve, The Good, The Bad, The Queen) and drummer David Nock (Paul McCartney's The Fireman). Together, they make amazing psychedelic sound that totally draws you in. The sound and the feel of this band is so exciting with folk-tinged, psyched up, fuzzed-out brilliance. I really liked Erland & the Carnival, the 60s sound mashed up with 90s indie style draws you in. The half filled crowd of the Waterfront seemed to also enjoy Erland & the Carnival performance.

Then it's time for the Wild beasts to do their set. Wild Beasts' music has spark with originality on their opening song 'Fun Powder Plot', perhaps at first a little shakey but as the night went on the sound and the band grows in confidence. The Wild Beasts' vocal harmony chants and guitars chiming songs 'This Is Our Lot' got the crowd's attention.

An interesting exchange of vocals, and of bass for lead guitar, between the two frontmen which works well throughout the set. The choral fragility of Hayden's soaring harmonies surrounding well meaning, admiration Tom's dark lyrics and grounded vocal. 'Please sir' and 'Two Dancers' were again emotionally charged and made everyone listen. The crowd indulged with the melodrama 'The Devil's Crayon', the last song.

The band leaves the stage and comes back for an encore playing 'Hooting and Howling', the pulse of piano in which is brilliant, followed by 'Empty Nest', before departing with 'Cheerio Chaps, Cheerio Goodbye'.

Playing with an assured confidence on the Waterfront stage, the Wild Beasts' talent has a girth that could take on the earth and comfortably fill the length and breadth of a festival stage, but for me the band to watch out for is Erland & the Carnival.

Andi Sapey