REVIEW: METRONOMY AT CARDIFF CLWB IFOR BACH (21/04/11)
Cardiff’s scenesters came out in force on a sweltering night to see whether the hype around Metronomy is justified. The band’s third album, The English Riviera, has received critical acclaim and they appear to have the world at their feet. Support came from electro/hip-hop poster boy, Ghostpoet – which was a tad repetitive, but good clean fun and he seems like an affable type with a good bank of one-liners. Watching Metronomy live is an exhilarating, exhausting, engaging experience – it’s a bit like getting a cuddle from someone playing bass guitar on your own vocal chords. With the stage lights dimmed to almost total darkness, and the band wearing bright chest lights, the illuminated audience is as much a part of the live Metronomy experience as the band themselves. They’re clearly a talented bunch, yet they’re admirably devoid of pretension – frontman Joe Mount natters with the crowd about whether or not Cardiff Castle is a National Trust property (it isn’t). Moreover, they have relentless energy and a strong repertoire – they play Holiday just a few songs in, and the room doesn’t stop bouncing from then on. The band’s new material is undeniably every bit as good as the reviews suggest, with a bigger sound which is sure to make them the festival darlings of the summer. Book your place now.
Words and photo: Ed Bridges
