SUNSHINE UNDERGROUND – Live @ The Wedgewood Rooms 03/05/2009
June 2nd, 2009 | Published in Reviews
Sunshine Underground
Unfortunately, much as we’d love to be, we can’t be everywhere at once. That’s why we at Call Upon The Author sometimes rely on friends to check out the juicy gigs for us. So lkets introduce you to Justin Parry. Justin is a superb photographer and a dab hand as a reviewer too. We sent him along to check out Sunshine Underground (and excellent support act Exit Calm) at the Wedgewood Rooms!
Having caught my eye by outshining the Secret Machines on their last outing, I welcomed the return of Exit Calm with much enthusiasm. Their soaring post-rock sound is hugely refreshing having sat through many a mediocre indie band. Think Explosions in the Sky crossed with the Verve. They consistently belt out a wall of epic sound, encapsulating the audience who seem very much unprepared to be this excited so soon. Their stage presence is understated; Nicky Smith is very much caught up his own world as he wanders around the stage. The faith is more in their sound than performance, and its sounds epic.
The filling couldn’t be more different. Boy Crisis, hailing from Brooklyn, light up the stage with personality and an enthusiastic energy that broadens smiles across most faces. Reminiscent of Gym Class Heroes, their synth based electro dance pop, gets people moving. They avoid going down the commercial route with their hooks and have solid, mature yet cheeky songs.
Bottles of beer and water are laid out on stage in preparation. Three years on from their debut Sunshine Underground still have a huge dedicated following. Though the second album, already delayed a year, seems now to be within fans grasp, it’s their appeal as live performers that sell-out the venue. They waste no time assaulting the senses, jolting the crowd back into life. The crowd starts to fly into the air, bodies tumbling my way over the barrier as I try to shoot. Again it’s a band performance, a solid trio of guitars playing side by side, their music incessant. This isn’t a gig for the scenesters, it’s a carnival of pure enjoyment, sing-along anthems and arms round strangers. The audience is teased with snippets of the new album which is promised to be making an appearance soon. ‘Borders’ caps a fantastic performance that will leave the faithful more eager than ever for the next record.
Justin Parry
for more of Justin’s photography check out www.justinparryphotography.co.uk
Exit Calm