White Lies @
Hoxton Bar & Kitchen
Hackney-London 24.07.2013
Today in East London the sun is shining its a lovely day, and I've just checked in to my exclusive hotel suite, it's lush I spend an hour getting aquainted !! At 2pm I head off in a cab flagged down by my consiege which ensures I leave in seconds for the venue.. best service ever.
I Arrive at bustling Hoxton Square in the heart of Hackney,East London which is full of eateries and bars,restaraunts,and an area for people just relaxing under trees and on benches,people walking various pedigree's of dog,so far 2 lovely pooches a Miniture Daschund and an Italian Greyhound both stole my heart.
But I'm not here to chat holiday expereriences with you, tonight is the 2nd night of exclusive shows by London's own 'White Lies'.
These shows were exclusive ballot only entries the idea was to play 3 nights at the venue where they first played a gig at Hoxton's now trendy area Bar & Kitchen + Grill,so a tiny venue for a big band capacity is about 300+
I was one of the lucky one's to have had the chance to see them as they prepare for the launch of their third album 'Big TV',it's not the usual gig atmosphere of queuing and fan banter, me and my guest are sat inside the bar area,I've known her since 2011 and she's also a big fan of 'White Lies'.
We spot 'Tommy' and 'Rob' the 2 live session musician's and members of 'White Lies' whom we've come to know as we go from Tour to Tour,they are about to go in to the soundcheck,the 2 support bands have already done theirs.we say 'Hello' to them and they seem quite surprised to see us sat relaxed drinking and chatting (Usually we're outside trying to keep warm..Ah The perils of the Winter Tour),they wave back in recognition which is nice.
There was no actual queue to speak of and we didn't need to go outside all that was between us was black curtains leading into the room where the stage has been set up for the gig due to start 8pm,we are all stamped with the words 'Gold Dust' (Very modest boys ,Very modest),the first thing I notice in disbelief and wonderment..there was NO yes that's right NO barrier at the low small stage keeping us back.
As the people came in to the room behind us,the crowd were polite kept distance and were just relaxing with their drinks watching the crew preparing for the 1st band,there was none of the usual body contact, squashing, squabbling it was dignified for a gig.
8.30pm first band 'The Juveniles' came on to the stage ,my friend didn't rate them much but was enjoying their set and I was dancing about to their songs with vigor,they were a bit like a Discotized version of 'The Foals' with a funky bassline they were on for 30 mins,Excitement taking over or just enjoying the music... you decide.
Next band 'Bipolar Sunshine' a bit more slower in pace and sound and lead singer more talkative to the people and especially the ladies,they were a bit like a soul tinged 'Tv On the Radio' so they weren't really my thing.
Between each bands set the crew had to move the equipment over our heads and came down to the floor to take away amps while we moved back a bit and watched,I genuinely can't believe how close to the stage we are my fingers can touch the stage edge without even moving, and the stairs.. 3 of them are 2 sidesteps away from where I'm standing, feels strange but very exciting.
The crew's boss approaches us at the front and says "Right I'll only say this once,no touching the equipment,no getting on to the stage,this is obviously a different situation for the band and us,anyone on the stage will be thrown out OK" I nod and say "Yes of course no problem".
On the stage I notice 'Jack's drumkit has a new skin on it,it's the artwork for 'There Goes Our Love Again' and 'Harry' appears to be using his old Cream coloured telecaster he used on his first tour in 2009,dry ice bellows from the right of the stage lights go down flashing lights begin,and to the left of the stage's steps a small hatch door from which the band come out of to the sound 'Relax' by 'Frankie Goes To Hollywood' and the band take to the stage with cheers and applause.
So far so good no pushing very cosy place to be, and my place is right at the mic stand a little too close as 'Harry' is now standing just above looking right down at me a little awkward at first, he smiles at the crowd with his newly grown beard, White T-shirt and Black baggy trousers.
He speaks to us "Hello ,welcome to this special show tonight were going to play you some new songs from the album 'Big Tv' " and he begins by playing us a classic album track 'A Place To Hide' followed by the indie hit 'To Lose My Life' then straight onto new single 'There Goes Our Love Again',I dance around as there is much room people are not pushing or moving near me so I just go with it that I almost forget the band can see me and hear me screaming between songs oops.
Next song 'Farewell To The Fairground' and I'm bouncing like 'Tigger' to this arms all over the place like in a disco,always a crowd pleasing song glad they included it we are a loud crowd tonight and my lungs are holding out for more ,Then another new song my fav so far 'Getting Even' to which 'Harry' speaks to us again "I hope you like this song you can download it free from our website its another from Big TV" my friend hadn't heard it but I think she liked it.
Then as we were well into the spirit of the show another oldie from 'Ritual' the last track to be released from it was back in July 2011 'Power & The Glory' then in a panic or so it looks from our side of things 'Harry' rushes over to Charles' pointing,gesturing and whisphering it turns out that 'Harry' wants to change the song on the setlist which was due to be 'Mother Tongue' instead he explains "We are just deciding what song to play for you" he'd like to play this one and gets some lyrics for on the stage he reads them as he's playing the song which turns out to be 'I'll Be Your Man' a song I also didn't know too well ,I found myself sneaking a look on the lyric sheet too ha.
Back to a classic track 'Unfinished Business' and then more tracks 'First Time Caller' and title track to 'Big Tv' which I hadn't heard at all would need to hear it again as I can't recall it now,obviously they played 'Death' it was the most relaxed of all the performance's of this song tha I've attended as the usual student crowd usually do their crowdsurfing and bump into you and squash you quite a bit,it been knwn to start a few fights, so I bounced extra hard to make up for it.
They ended with the song they have ended with throughout 2011 shows 'Bigger Than Us', the show was only an hour long, it was just a taster of what to expect ,new album is out August 12th.
I managed to get a word with the boys after the gig and asked them about amongst other things ..their plans to tour this album in the U.K. and 'Harry' said "Yes We'll be touring all over the U.K. for this album" the last tour was Dec 2011 I know WL fans here will be pleased to know it wont be long now, I also know that there will be 2 shows taking place the London area but this will not be announced until after 'Reading & Leed's' is finished, soon after will come the announcement in September of the dates and details of the shows to come so there we have it.
"The WL Boys are back"!!
You can see the full set of 40 live shots I took at the gig on Wednesday 24th 's Hoxton show on a link to be posted out soon stayed tuned to Big TV Folks !!!
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