NME Awards Tour 2012
02 Academy Birmingham
16th Feb 2013
Django Django, Miles Kane, Palma Violets and Peace
So the NME awards tour kicks off. Well, in actual fact, it kicked off last week in Leeds, but you would never guess it had been a week already from the energy and excitement of the bands.
Starting off the night, Peace return to Birmingham to give their home fans a reminder of what they inspired. The set is varied, a couple of new album tracks to warm up the crowd before diving into Bloodshake making the audience jump in recognition. “It’s an improvement on last time I saw them” some young indie lad bellows into his neighbour's ear, as they seamlessly blend into a second single Wraith, and the audience begin to sing back; “we spit blood in the sun, we spit blood in the ocean”. “Is anyone here in love?” asks lead singer Harry Koisser through his mop of 90’s style hair, “oh, I hoped there would be more” he continues after pause, before gently building into love song, California Daze, to the delight of the crowd. A few tracks later and they finish off the set with new single Follow Baby to excited applause, and after throwing a few tokens to an excited crowd; Harry's necklace and some plectrums among them, they head off for a night of amazing music.
Next come Palma Violets with enough energy to exhaust the crowd single-handedly Whether they know the songs or not the audience is lapping it up, and soon the raucous behavior begins, much to the annoyance of the bouncers. “I wanna be your best friend” bellow the crowd, as the Violets throw themselves into their best known track Best of Friends. You couldn't stay still if you tried, the crowd moves as one, forcing you to get into the music. “Put your hands in their air” says singer and bass guitarist Chilli, “higher, higher, higher, higher” he demands, as drummer Will Doyle climbs onto his stool, getting higher and higher until he is only just brushing the drums. Needless to say the crowds love it! They get more and more worked up through single Step Up for the Cool Cats; as do the bouncers, who barely stop for having to remove the persistent crowd surfers. The set ends with the bands first ever song 14, and without anyone getting injured the band leaves to a barrage of applause.
Now things are really hotting up, Miles Kane is up next and crowd can’t control their excitement. The mod fans are closing in from their positions at the bar. Everyone can feel something exciting is going to happen, and, after a quick technical hitch, including a bearded soundman, something does. Miles Kane joins his band on stage, leather trousers, patent white jacket and sparkly shoes! It’s worrying to think how many cows may have died to create his wardrobe but he doesn’t let that thought linger. Straight in there with current single Give Up there is a new level of respect from the audience. They’re going crazy but actually listening to the music.A few solid new tracks are interspersed with the classics. High points include Quicksand and Rearrange, the audience hanging along to every word. Its not just the crowd who are loving the set, genuine joy covers Miles’ face as he watches them fall at his feet, there is a gravitational pull in the room dragging everyone to the music and he can feel it! Come Closer rounds off the set with a sing along of a massive scale, heart and soul into the microphone “Ahhhh”, “Ooooo” the crowd responds, for what seems like eternity.
As Miles Kane leaves the stage there a scurry for the bar, suddenly there is room to move and the pressures off, but what about Django Django? They may not have such foot stomping tunes but their energy equally matches that of the previous 3 acts. All done up in matching printed shirts, this set really is a visual spectacle. Fittingly opening with Introduction you feel like you have been transported to some hot abandoned Australian outback. There is musical experimentation here not seen so far. They glide into Hail Bop, perfect combination of jangly guitar, solid baseline and catchy chorus and slowly the crowds return. “This is our biggest ever gig” interjects front man Vincent Neff and you would never be able to tell. By this point they have regained the once wary crowd, who love the mix of alternative and electronic rock. By Default everyone is as enthusiastic as ever, and after a series of hits Skies Over Cairo, Life’s a Beach and Waveforms they round off an excellent night with WOR.
“We’ll see you in the future….” shouts Neff as he leaves the stage, and after a night like that he might just be right!
The NME tour continues tonight Cardiff University Hall... http://www.nme.com/awards/tour
02 Academy Birmingham
16th Feb 2013
Django Django, Miles Kane, Palma Violets and Peace
So the NME awards tour kicks off. Well, in actual fact, it kicked off last week in Leeds, but you would never guess it had been a week already from the energy and excitement of the bands.
Starting off the night, Peace return to Birmingham to give their home fans a reminder of what they inspired. The set is varied, a couple of new album tracks to warm up the crowd before diving into Bloodshake making the audience jump in recognition. “It’s an improvement on last time I saw them” some young indie lad bellows into his neighbour's ear, as they seamlessly blend into a second single Wraith, and the audience begin to sing back; “we spit blood in the sun, we spit blood in the ocean”. “Is anyone here in love?” asks lead singer Harry Koisser through his mop of 90’s style hair, “oh, I hoped there would be more” he continues after pause, before gently building into love song, California Daze, to the delight of the crowd. A few tracks later and they finish off the set with new single Follow Baby to excited applause, and after throwing a few tokens to an excited crowd; Harry's necklace and some plectrums among them, they head off for a night of amazing music.
Next come Palma Violets with enough energy to exhaust the crowd single-handedly Whether they know the songs or not the audience is lapping it up, and soon the raucous behavior begins, much to the annoyance of the bouncers. “I wanna be your best friend” bellow the crowd, as the Violets throw themselves into their best known track Best of Friends. You couldn't stay still if you tried, the crowd moves as one, forcing you to get into the music. “Put your hands in their air” says singer and bass guitarist Chilli, “higher, higher, higher, higher” he demands, as drummer Will Doyle climbs onto his stool, getting higher and higher until he is only just brushing the drums. Needless to say the crowds love it! They get more and more worked up through single Step Up for the Cool Cats; as do the bouncers, who barely stop for having to remove the persistent crowd surfers. The set ends with the bands first ever song 14, and without anyone getting injured the band leaves to a barrage of applause.
Now things are really hotting up, Miles Kane is up next and crowd can’t control their excitement. The mod fans are closing in from their positions at the bar. Everyone can feel something exciting is going to happen, and, after a quick technical hitch, including a bearded soundman, something does. Miles Kane joins his band on stage, leather trousers, patent white jacket and sparkly shoes! It’s worrying to think how many cows may have died to create his wardrobe but he doesn’t let that thought linger. Straight in there with current single Give Up there is a new level of respect from the audience. They’re going crazy but actually listening to the music.A few solid new tracks are interspersed with the classics. High points include Quicksand and Rearrange, the audience hanging along to every word. Its not just the crowd who are loving the set, genuine joy covers Miles’ face as he watches them fall at his feet, there is a gravitational pull in the room dragging everyone to the music and he can feel it! Come Closer rounds off the set with a sing along of a massive scale, heart and soul into the microphone “Ahhhh”, “Ooooo” the crowd responds, for what seems like eternity.
As Miles Kane leaves the stage there a scurry for the bar, suddenly there is room to move and the pressures off, but what about Django Django? They may not have such foot stomping tunes but their energy equally matches that of the previous 3 acts. All done up in matching printed shirts, this set really is a visual spectacle. Fittingly opening with Introduction you feel like you have been transported to some hot abandoned Australian outback. There is musical experimentation here not seen so far. They glide into Hail Bop, perfect combination of jangly guitar, solid baseline and catchy chorus and slowly the crowds return. “This is our biggest ever gig” interjects front man Vincent Neff and you would never be able to tell. By this point they have regained the once wary crowd, who love the mix of alternative and electronic rock. By Default everyone is as enthusiastic as ever, and after a series of hits Skies Over Cairo, Life’s a Beach and Waveforms they round off an excellent night with WOR.
“We’ll see you in the future….” shouts Neff as he leaves the stage, and after a night like that he might just be right!
The NME tour continues tonight Cardiff University Hall... http://www.nme.com/awards/tour
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