I'm not sure why I am such a fan of Metronomy. There's a secret ingredient there that makes their music completely absorbing and exciting; it's possible Colonel Sanders is involved.
You cannot help but move to the music; my Sister and I tried to describe which genre they fit into. "Plinky plonky electronic uplifting and happy dance rock indie" is possibly the only category it does. There's a certain uniqueness which makes them stand out, and dance along.
Now, I'm talking from a biased standpoint. When their most recent album "The English Riviera" came out earlier this year, I purchased it (completely on a whim following a recommendation) and played it every day for a month constantly. It wasn't even my first choice album to buy; I went in the record shop intially to buy a Kate Bush record (which funnily enough I've hardly played).
On Monday night this week, I got to see the band live for the first time. This show was at the Royal Albert Hall, a huge circular venue with an awesome surround sound. This is a band who has been on the periphery of the music world, (and still is) taking on one of the most famous venues there are. I know several people have gone "who?!" whenever I mention them. And I always struggle to come up with a definitive answer; hence the "plinky plonky electronic uplifting and happy dance rock indie" description!
A quartet of instrumentalists; including the pan-pipes, the flute and a fella looking like he was playing the "balsa wood" opened proceedings. I saw many heads turn to one another questioning what on earth ws going on! They subsequently left the stage after two tracks, to a slightly baffled audience. When the real four piece band actually walked on, the crowd were on the edge of their seats. I always say that anticipation of act is one of the best things in live shows, there's always a hubbub and buzz before the arrival. The unusual and intriguing quartet made the wait for Metronomy even better.
The main act arrived with little fuss, although the set did seem a little bizarre to begin with; then I realised why; everyone was sat down! Now, you cannot sit down at a Metronomy gig, so with a bit of Dutch Courage I decided to stand; right in the middle of the crowd in row 8 of the stalls. Fortunately as soon as I did; during the kicking beat of the third track in the set, "She Wants", so did everyone else.
The sound was so interesting and with addictive bassline riffs, organ hooks and with Anna Prior's drumbeats it enraptured the audience. Metronomy is a light show too, each band member illuminated by a bright bulb on their chest. This rather adds to the effect of the music, and I noticed the lights moved in time with the chords. They did go back in time with earlier tracks such as "My Heart Rate Rapid" and "You Could Easily Have Me"; two tracks that seemed so out of place and wrong for the Royal Albert Hall, but equally absolutely compelling.
I would say that I did think the four piece are a little stretched with their resources throughout the show. It appeared that they possibly needed a couple of backing singers, because lead singer Joseph Mount and bassist Gbenga Adelekan seemed so overworked vocally during some of the more intricate tracks, especially during Corinne.
However, you have to give them credit for rocking the 'Hall throughout. I don't think I had two feet on the floor at the same time. "A Thing For You" and "Heartbreaker" were expertly done live, and I was completely lost in the rhythm. Crowd favourite "The Look" was played with Oscar Cash arriving onto stage on a wheeled platform playing the organ, and it was executed splendidly. Finishing off their set with the gloriously uplifting "Some Written", with its repetitive ditty, the crowd bayed for more.
They returned with the encore of "Everything Goes My Way", and "Radio Ladio" which I have had as an earworm ever since. If you play Radio Ladio, you cannot help but move along- I dare you try it!
It was everything I had hoped for as a gig, and as I left the venue I was on a musical high. The endorphin rush I had after this show was unlike any other.
I highly recommend them; if I was a Doctor I'd prescribe a daily dose of Metronomy to make you feel good. Go and see them live!
You cannot help but move to the music; my Sister and I tried to describe which genre they fit into. "Plinky plonky electronic uplifting and happy dance rock indie" is possibly the only category it does. There's a certain uniqueness which makes them stand out, and dance along.
Now, I'm talking from a biased standpoint. When their most recent album "The English Riviera" came out earlier this year, I purchased it (completely on a whim following a recommendation) and played it every day for a month constantly. It wasn't even my first choice album to buy; I went in the record shop intially to buy a Kate Bush record (which funnily enough I've hardly played).
On Monday night this week, I got to see the band live for the first time. This show was at the Royal Albert Hall, a huge circular venue with an awesome surround sound. This is a band who has been on the periphery of the music world, (and still is) taking on one of the most famous venues there are. I know several people have gone "who?!" whenever I mention them. And I always struggle to come up with a definitive answer; hence the "plinky plonky electronic uplifting and happy dance rock indie" description!
A quartet of instrumentalists; including the pan-pipes, the flute and a fella looking like he was playing the "balsa wood" opened proceedings. I saw many heads turn to one another questioning what on earth ws going on! They subsequently left the stage after two tracks, to a slightly baffled audience. When the real four piece band actually walked on, the crowd were on the edge of their seats. I always say that anticipation of act is one of the best things in live shows, there's always a hubbub and buzz before the arrival. The unusual and intriguing quartet made the wait for Metronomy even better.
The main act arrived with little fuss, although the set did seem a little bizarre to begin with; then I realised why; everyone was sat down! Now, you cannot sit down at a Metronomy gig, so with a bit of Dutch Courage I decided to stand; right in the middle of the crowd in row 8 of the stalls. Fortunately as soon as I did; during the kicking beat of the third track in the set, "She Wants", so did everyone else.
The sound was so interesting and with addictive bassline riffs, organ hooks and with Anna Prior's drumbeats it enraptured the audience. Metronomy is a light show too, each band member illuminated by a bright bulb on their chest. This rather adds to the effect of the music, and I noticed the lights moved in time with the chords. They did go back in time with earlier tracks such as "My Heart Rate Rapid" and "You Could Easily Have Me"; two tracks that seemed so out of place and wrong for the Royal Albert Hall, but equally absolutely compelling.
I would say that I did think the four piece are a little stretched with their resources throughout the show. It appeared that they possibly needed a couple of backing singers, because lead singer Joseph Mount and bassist Gbenga Adelekan seemed so overworked vocally during some of the more intricate tracks, especially during Corinne.
However, you have to give them credit for rocking the 'Hall throughout. I don't think I had two feet on the floor at the same time. "A Thing For You" and "Heartbreaker" were expertly done live, and I was completely lost in the rhythm. Crowd favourite "The Look" was played with Oscar Cash arriving onto stage on a wheeled platform playing the organ, and it was executed splendidly. Finishing off their set with the gloriously uplifting "Some Written", with its repetitive ditty, the crowd bayed for more.
They returned with the encore of "Everything Goes My Way", and "Radio Ladio" which I have had as an earworm ever since. If you play Radio Ladio, you cannot help but move along- I dare you try it!
It was everything I had hoped for as a gig, and as I left the venue I was on a musical high. The endorphin rush I had after this show was unlike any other.
I highly recommend them; if I was a Doctor I'd prescribe a daily dose of Metronomy to make you feel good. Go and see them live!
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