Public Service Broadcasting at the Roundhouse

I added a new companion for this gig - one of our new trainee intake. Particularly exciting for me as he actually has a band that has played at public gigs. That impresses me!

Fist up were the Smoke fairies. No meant nothing to me either, but this female duo were a definite cut up above the normal support. Distinctive sound and appearance, songs that had a proper hook. Very accessible. Just very decent indeed.

But onto the main act, Public Service Broadcasting. When I first saw them they were a duo. Then they brought their effects man on stage, and have now moved on again to a four piece, without including the brass section they used on a couple of tracks.

But they retain their sense of humour, which greatly adds to one's enjoyment of the music. The drummer Wrigglesworth deserves particular mention I think as its pretty percussion based stuff. They showcased some stuff from their new album, The Race for Space, but not as much as I expected. The mix of the music and the films that are a feature of the band, plus the escalating special effects - this time featuring a snazzy "sputnik" which glowed and shone in different ways - make them an especially engrossing band to watch. And clearly they are catching on. They sold out the Roundhouse.

Wrigglesworth with the sputnik above him

 The  Smoke Fairies came back on to add vocals on Valentina. There are no other vocals on PSB tracks, and even here their voices were used as music rather than for lyrics.

J. Wilgose, the driving force of the band, on electric guitar (which he often swaps for electric banjo) and behind his computer.

And here are the brass section, so uncool that they are very cool indeed

The TVs stacked at the side also show the films on the bigger screens behind the stage. It all adds to the ambience.