Slowdive at the Roundhouse

This was a long Friday, but a very enjoyable one. It started with having to get up to Leeds for a 10am meeting, so that was an early start. I woke up about 5am. I don't really like early mornings.

Was back about 5pm, and then had to wait to round up my two friends to see Slowdive at the Roundhouse.  Now it is highly unlikely yo will have even heard of Slowdive. They are a nineties shoe-gazer band (so called as they tend to look down at their feet while playing guitar). We got there too late for the support act, and indeed the place was pretty packed. Couldn't quite get as close to the stage as I would have liked. They had just produced their first new album in a couple of decades, but their following was still there, emerging from the shadows. And their music is quite sublime, but far from the 3 minute pop-song. Their tracks waft gently. Amongst my other favourite bands Portishead perhaps come closest, in the suppressed power of their music. Their tracks feel like they will burst forth at some point, but they never do. They tease. Like Portishead they have high pitched female vocals (from Rachel Goswell) to call upon over the top of the guitars.

This was not an exciting live performance. Neil Halstead, main vocalist, makes absolutely minimal contact with the audience beyond a polite thank you for us turning up. But the music is beautiful. 

Rachel Goswell

Neil Halstead

The band finished about 11pm, but the guys were up for a couple of pints so we reconvened in Joe's across the road. Unfortunately the laid back American rock that was on there when we met yup before the gig was replaced with a DJ and American funk at ear splitting levels, so we wandered further into Camden to find a quieter pub in which to resume our conversation about music. A very good evening with some very knowledgeable (as well as nice guys). And finally night bus home. In bed about 2am. A 21 hour day