The second support clearly already had a fan base, including two overexcited teenage girls next to me! The Guest List are a five piece indie band, and they are a band I would go out of my way to see again. Indeed my first thought was why I hadn't come across them before, largely answered by the lead singer announcing "We are the Guest List from Manchester". They are not from these parts, so I hadn't seen their name around the London venues I frequent. But after a few songs I recognised one and realised I had seen them as a support act before, about a year ago.
Suffice to say I really enjoyed their set start to finish, and they were rather better than the last time I saw them. Lead singer has a loud strong voice (for a skinny lad). The style of music is very much to my taste. They just felt more assured than when I saw them last.
So much for the starters. Main course were the ever excellent DMA's. The "excuse" for this tour was that they were playing their first album, Hill's End, in full for its 10th anniversary. Its just one of those defining debut albums. Subsequent, both their and other people's, follow up albums might have good tracks but you feel there are fillers in them to make up the numbers for their record company's demand for a new album every other year. But every track on Hill's End is great start to finish.
DMA's are an extraordinary band full stop. If one was merely describing them they wouldn't sound appealing. They are not a good looking bunch of blokes, and dress even worse. Real chavs. Lead singer, Tommy O'Dell, doesn't offer much in the way of personality (and during musical interludes during the set would sneak behind the drum kit for a quick fag). Rhythm guitarist Johnny Took sings along, but they don't give him a mic, so presumably has a terrible voice. And on record they sound good but a little middle of the road.
But live they are just brilliant. How come? Well O'Dell may look like a guttersnipe in baggy jeans/tracksuit just off the street, but has the sweetest voice. The songs are fantastic and anthemic and have the whole audience joining in throughout, not just the odd chorus. That MoR feel on record is replaced by a much rockier sound when live. And Took may not sing but his dramatic and comic poses on guitar make him a sort of second frontman.
No style, oodles of substance.
This was a totally joyous, raucous gig, with much crowd surfing down the front towards the end. And this was only their first night of two...
| Tommy O'Dell |
| Took on rhythm guitar taking centre stage |