REVIEW: NME RADAR TOUR FEATURING S.C.U.M. AT BRISTOL THEKLA (03/10/11)
For the second time this year Thekla plays host to the Emerge NME Radar Tour a showcase of the very best in new and innovative musical talent. This time it is Wolf Gang, S.C.U.M and Niki and the Dove set to play out 14 dates across the UK this month. They are ready to follow in the success of previous Radar tour acts, which include the likes of Anna Calvi, Hurts, Crystal Castles, The Joy Formidable, Chapel Club and Everything Everything.
Surprisingly, despite the hype, the venue is near empty tonight as Stockholm’s Niki and the Dove take to the stage. By the time art rock band S.C.U.M arrive with their blinding array of atmospheric strobes the room is starting to fill but the crowd is still somewhat sparse and despite lead singer, Thomas Cohen’s theatrical showmanship S.C.U.M still receive a mellow reaction amidst their visual manifestation of a set.
Tonight headline act Wolf Gang seem to have rounded up more of a crowd and with that, some atmosphere. Notably with lead vocalist Max McElligott’s effortless and indelible pop grandeur they bursts into action with ‘Dancing With The Devil’. Stating how good it is to be back, “Bristol are second home to us, we play here most, well apart from our hometown, London”. With a chirpy, somewhat Scouting for Girls lead melody ‘The King and All of His Men” plays out and onto the first song not taken from the newly released debut album ‘Suego Faults’, ‘The Kill’ McElligott dances around the stage amidst the smoke which rises punctually from boxes hidden near his feet. After playing through the albums self-titled track people are crowding the stage. “This is the popular part of the evening were we slow it down” grabbing his acoustic guitar McElligott plays into ‘Midnight Dancers’ which is met with predestined excitement. The second track not from ‘Suego Faults’ ‘Into The Fire’ also receives a warm welcome. Without a encore Wolf gang conclude with ‘Lions In Cages’.
Having supported The Killers, Florence and The Machine and Editors, as well as selling-out their own London shows you can see what attracts people to a Wolf Gang show, with catchy songs and an energetic lead singer their performance is one to watch.
Words and photos: Laura Palmer
