Camden Crawl 2009 - the inthenews.co.uk review
Camden Crawl 2009 - the inthenews.co.uk review
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Friday, 01, May 2009 03:31
Lewis Bazley on two days of rising stars and rock gods in north London.
While two-hour queues slinked round Camden corners as fans strived to secure a ticket for the Yeah Yeah Yeahs show at the Roundhouse, the beautiful weather and riotous atmosphere were almost derailed as the 2009 Camden Crawl began, after a sloppy and dispassionate set from New York hopefuls the Virgins.
Alleged dalliances with Peaches Geldof - surely a kiss of death for credibility? - and high industry hopes aside, the only abiding thoughts after a forgettable and skittish performance were i)doesn't the bassist look like a fat Justin Long? ii)Donald Lumden must stop putting a hand on his hip and iii)did their producers not bother to suggest finding a style and sticking to it might be a good idea?
Thank heaven, then, for the imperious Yeah Yeah Yeahs set that followed.
Though Madness toured the streets in an open-top bus, the Whip got Koko dancing with their clinical processed beats and Idlewild reminded you of their erstwhile brilliance with a rendition of the entirety of 100 Broken Windows at a rammed Dublin Castle - later filling in for headliners the Enemy after Tom Clarke lost his voice - this was a night owned by Karen O, the high priestess of rock 'n' roll.
With the true start to the Crawl was confirmed by a helter skelter opening, the New York trio swayed with intent between the precise math-rock of their early years and the a la mode synth anthems of new album It's Blitz. Karen O, demanding the crowd's participation with enviable power, seized on the flatness created by the Virgins and with bright young things Little Boots, VV Brown and Marina in Camden for the weekend, led a lesson of Rock Star 101that should usher in a new era of poised, passionate young women in rock.
Though the scheduling left a great deal to be desired, with the euphoric final roar of Zero sending revellers back towards the evening sun rather than street lights and sirens, Yeah Yeah Yeahs' bold new direction, which never grates alongside the old favourites, marks them as the true survivors of the early noughties New York renaissance.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs "Zero
Saturday
Already earmarked for superstardom in the BBC's Sound of 2009 poll, Little Boots proves just why she's been pronounced the "perfect pop star", with a polished performance - in spite of a lukewarm crowd - that reveals the infectious melodies and innovation strewn through her upcoming debut album Hands.
To read the full inthenews.co.uk review, click here
Though the weather forecast had proved miraculously wrong and Camden basked in sunshine rather than cowering from showers, a Roundhouse set from the Maccabees called for remaining in the dark for a little longer. But with the Brighton fivesome in fine fettle and showcasing lively, jerky indie from their impressive second album Wall of Arms, lead singer Orlando Weeks' incessant aping of Morrissey's flailing arms was no barrier to immersing oneself in a set that promises great things for the festival season.
Formerly of A and currently the presenter of the Radio 1 Rock, Daniel P Carter has kept his toe in the live performing pool with hardcore punk outfit Hexes who bring percussive intent to a stunned Underworld. Though Carter's beard brings to mind unfortunate Danny Dyer comparisons and their live approach is entirely scattergun, there's huge fun to be had with this brattish, brutal mix of classic punk, screamo and post-hardcore.
Even harder to pigeonhole are London trio the Invisible, who arrive at Dingwalls with TV on the Radio chips on their shoulders and leave having left a venue amazed with their transcendental, adventurous "space-pop"
To read the full inthenews.co.uk review, click here
Another graduate of the Sound of 2009 list and soon to become a household name through his rumoured production of the Cheryl Cole solo album, Vincent Frank - better known as Frankmusik - provides a set suited to Saturday night dancefloors across the land. If the success of La Roux is anything to go by, he's got a future number one in his locker with the singalong keyboard joy of 3 Little Words, which springs from the Koko speakers like sunshine while his soulful, rich vocals smack more of the mean streets of Motown than a Croydon tower block. With hints of Dizzee Rascal and Rihanna slipped into a set of momentous, sugar rush pop that takes the Stranglers, Pet Shop Boys and the KLF, you're going to be hearing a lot more of young Mr Frank.
Whether Justin Hawkins' new band Hot Leg will ever achieve the same radio dominance of his former charges the Darkness is uncertain but for an Underworld audience primed for that voice, power ballad drums and sizzling solos, this magnificently enjoyable set of clear sign that Hawkins is steering clear of the "glorious gak" and has his eyes on the prize
Hot Leg: I've Met Jesus
Hot Leg might not be set for radio playlists and prestigious festival slots but after the second performance of the weekend by Marina and the Diamonds in a baking hot, over-full Enterprise, her quirky piano pop - a Venn diagram depiction would feature Kates Bush and Nash, Gwen Stefani and Regina Spektor - will be vying with Florence, La Roux and Little Boots for top ten slots come the end of the year. With a performance full of drama and heart - though not the temper that saw her throw a punch at a pilled-up punter who nudged her mid-set last year - a rich, theatrical voice and an insistent personality that practically explodes from the stage, the half-Welsh, half-Greek future pop goddess is a fitting end to a weekend of new artists, established stars and amazing weather that proves you shouldn't always trust the Met Office.
Marina and the Diamonds: Obsessions
Lewis Bazley