Did Alexandra Palace banish its demons in time for this NYC band’s intelligent indie and gypsy folk?
All eyes were on Ally Pally for this preppy New York City quartet’s shows after fans were left queuing for, well, everything, at the LCD Soundsystem/Hot Chip gig a couple of weeks back.
Steering well clear of disaster this time round with double the number of bars, more toilets and more door staff, punters could concentrate on their pogo jumping and general merriment instead at this, the second of two shows.
Redolent of the world’s largest Romanian folk festival, the chilly Great Hall’s inhabitants bounced along to the driving, playful Cousins and Holiday to party-starter A Punk without a care in the world.
Live, their lightweight sound was given a meatier bass and fuller sound, really helping it leap out the speakers and warming up a crowd largely still in bobble hats and scarves.
Even singer Ezra Koening cut a dash in a huge black-and-red striped scarf as they rattled through the highlights from their two albums.
Cousins was another brisk, bitingly crisp turbo-waltz that showcased the band’s musicianship and proved the Pally has confronted its poor sound quality demons.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here