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NME AWARDS TOUR Live @ Portsmouth Pyramids, 18/02/2010

Posted: March 4th, 2010 | Author: Justin | Filed under: Reviews | Tags: , , , , | No Comments »

With the indie market awash with new acts, the NME showcase have got some of the big chart hitters to battle it out on stage.
First on the list, hidden down amongst the bigger draws, The Drums provided not merely a warm-up but a declaration of intent with a confident, well tuned performance which took many by surprise. They, like many, have been mentioned as a band that everyone will be talking about before the end of the year and for once is seems justified.
The Big Pink are up next and they just really tear into it with driving baselines and a much heavier sound than you’d expect. The really make an effort with the crowd in trying to win then over, really wanting to impress, but the crowd was still split in their feelings. There is a much draker tone to their much and much distortion, it really sounded like they’d blown a few speakers. Their sound was very distinct to them and they have a good varied range of songs. Velvet sounds much thicker and richer live, it really comes to life rather than being a slow, poor follow-up to dominos. Dominos, played last, obviously goes down well.
The crowd are much more alive for the arrival of Bombay Bicycle Club, possibly again due to being hugely promoted amongst DJ’S. The hype for me is short lived, again much heavier than expected, but they suffer a huge lag and its a good few song in before things pick up with Evening Morning. Even this failed to capture the crowd, they merely looked on in acknowledgment that what they were doing was good. Musically they were solid, but there was no real killer instinct about their performance, they were simple there to give their 30 minutes. Always Like This gets a sing-along, but the song just seems out of synch to the rest of the set. The entire set pretty much lacked cohesion and direction.
The Maccabees enter to the Talking Heads. The ‘veterans’ of the night have a much more rounded and consistent set. Precious Time lifts the crowd from its disappointed slumber. X-Ray and Can You Give It go down well and it starts to feel like a real gig, not merely a showcase.
In all a very awkward night filled with surprise and disappointment. Love You Better stopped it from being dissatisfying.