Loud at the Roundhouse October 19, 2008
Posted by CamdenKiwi in : Reviews , trackbackLast time I was in the Roundhouse, it was for the RSCs Histories Cycle, but every now and again I wonder if I’m missing something. Camden is the music centre of London, and I have to confess to never having been to a gig by a major band here. All the famous venues – Roundhouse, Dublin Castle, Koko – are within an easy walk, but somehow I’m more Barbican than Oh! Bar.
I discovered British Sea Power back in March, and have become rather enamoured of their eclectic, eccentric style. They put on a good show. Lots of odd props, including the bits of tree which are a trademark, old sirens and a bloke on a bicycle. Their fascination with coasts and seabirds dominates the videos behind the band. The addition of the London Bulgarian Choir appearing ghost-like in the mist added an ethereal quality.
But does it have to be so loud that their beautiful, lyrical songs disappear into an overamplified bass? What’s the point of losing voices and violin in the other instruments? The Great Skua is a soaring instrumental rolling like a bird in stormy skies but live became a blanket of noise. Maybe I’m just getting old. And maybe I am really more Barbican, and should just stick to cds.
British Sea Power played the Roundhouse on Friday, 17 October and are at the Forum on 29 October.
Comments»
I’ve found earplugs are invaluable for reducing live modern music to a manageable level.