Alvvays - Brudenell Social, Leeds - October 25th 2014
With a queue snaking
out of the car park and a palpable excitement in the night air, the
build up to tonight's show had an almost magical quality. The
Brudenell consistently delivers us special moments; its gig history
plotting a course mirroring our own musical adventures. Now with,
deservedly, a national, if not international, reputation for bringing
us the best new bands before anyone else, it was no surprise that
this was the stage for Canadians Alvvays' debut Leeds performance.
Since the announcement of this date, they've racked up a couple of
notable singles, rising festival slots and an increasingly heavy
6Music rotation, proving the booking team at the Brude ahead of the
curve once again. With pre gig chatter focused decidedly on the
quintet rather than the main event of Garden Staters Real Estate,
hopes were high but apprehensive; the crowd seemed to be willing them
to be as good as they hoped they could be.
Rather than waiting to
be impressed, from the second they took the stage, the audience were
on their side. For their part, they didn't disappoint. So many bands
fail to translate the polish of a record into live performance or the
thrill of a show into a decent album, but Alvvays manage both with
ease. With a setlist heavily populated with tracks from their debut
self-titled album, this is the soundtrack to our summer and delivers
bursts of sun into the dark night. Adult Diversion is
perfection, a floating, grabbing guitar and a vocal that is full of
bittersweet pleading delivered with half a wink. Like a Velveteen
Wendy James, Molly is infinitely watchable, but more than this, they
work as a whole, the obvious affection showing in every nod and grin.
It's infectious, and I don't see a single person without a smile on
their face, one of those gigs where audience and band are in perfect
synergy.
The fuzzy sonic haze
that belches from the stage belies their skill as musicians; it
simultaneously appears sloppy and effortless whilst, if you really
listen, being expertly crafted; each member's part is drowned in
sound but crystal clear. Keri's keyboards provide a lid over the top
of the thick noise, throbbing and stifling when it threatens to
become too melodic. Underneath Us, a delightful, scuzzy dirge
of a song floated around, perfectly uncomfortable in a set of honey,
the contrast with the sweet harmonies of Atop A Cake just
gorgeous. It's the best live song I've seen in I don't know how long,
the crowds joy as big as the grins on their faces. Moreover, they're
the best live band I've seen in I don't know how long; twee without
being saccharine, a clarity of composition without being contrived;
they just get it right.
Finishing, predictably,
with crowdpleaser Archie, Marry Me, they leave with the
swagger and the reception of a much bigger band. I left with that
fuzzy warmth the Brude always leaves a-lingering; we witnessed
something special here tonight, a band on the verge of great things.
Nathan and the team have a treasure of a venue in their hands and use
it only for good. Leeds is the better for its existence and we are
all the better for being lucky enough to get to visit.
Words - Angi Strafford
Alvvays web site
