DMAs at Outernet

 New venue for me, and indeed a new venue full stop. It is part of the redevelopment brought about by the creation of the new Elizabeth Line station at Tottenham Court Road. Needless to say we got in very early so could pick spot at the front.

The support act were called Stone. From Liverpool. As the Scouse lead singer was keen to tell us. Not a bad band and he was a decent frontman, although tediously, like almost all Liverpool bands, they suffer from the weight of the enormous chip on their shoulders.

DMA's, as always, were great. I love their songs and music, and have commented in many past entries on how much heavier their sound is than on record. Another surprising element compared to most bands relates to charisma. Most bands have a lead vocalist who one way or another draws the attention from the rest of the band. But not DMA's. Lead singer Tommy O'Dell has a beautifully sweet voice, but that really is all you get. He is not strikingly handsome, energetic, charismatic, dynamic. He just ambles around a little bit.

The man you watch is Johnny Took on acoustic guitar. He isn't handsome either, and while he sings along sometimes, never near a microphone. But he is the one who gestures, prances around and delivers often incredibly manic stares that you wouldn't want to face down a dark alley. He is definitely the one who adds the visual element to their stage performance!

 

Miles Kane and The Royston Club at the Electric Ballroom

I booked this gig in order to take a friend to see Miles Kane. The added bonus was that the Royston Club, whom I had paid good money to see last year as headliner at the Scala were in support.

But there was another support band, and a rather remarkable one. A chap called Alex Spencer who was a busker and been picked up by a record label. Now clearly there is a bit of financial promotion going on to thrust this kid into the limelight, and hence his appearance here, but nonetheless he was remarkably good. The remarkable thing being he is only 16 years of age!

I said there was a support band, as he did have a band presumably of lads around his age, but clearly they are not being promoted as a band and so not named. Which is a pity as I rather like credit being spread around, and enjoy seeing a band as opposed to just an attention seeking front man. (Or boy in this case.) But suffice to say he was very decent, strong voice and I suspect the boy has a future (and I guess his band.

Alex Spencer

 

Alex Spencer's bass player had the bored look that so many bass players seem to effect

But his keyboardist seemed to have a bit more personality and enjoying his night. He might have been called Harrison

The second support were the Royston Club. I found I wasn't the only one in the audience to have come across them. They really should have a big future ahead of them. A lot of good songs in their locker and the lead singer has a very good vocal range. All the acts on the bill were good vocalists as well as guitarists, but of them all this bloke has the best voice. You heard it here first!

And finally to top the bill the much underrated Miles Kane. He is best mates with Alex Turner of the Arctic Monkeys, and with him they have a side project of the Last Shadow Puppets. But Miles has on his own been producing albums and touring for years. As result I assumed his audience would be mainly thirtysomethings if not fortysomethings. But lo he had a clear very young following too. I had this conversation with my friend who suggested that among his age group he isn't well known, but that small group were fanatical followers.

In any event, he definitely should be getting more attention. His back catalogue now has a good collection of really strong anthems like Heal, Better Than That and Inhaler, with a good new album from last year called One Man Band, the title track of which is certainly up there with his best.

As  a live act he really puts heart and soul into it. He started out the gig in his zipped up leather jacket and how he managed the opening numbers in that I don't know, between the heat of the lights and the energy he puts into the performance.

But eventually the jacket came off and the sweaty vest look took over. Miles also has his own chant. If things go quiet at any point the crowd takes over with the chant "Miles. Miles. Miles F***ing Kane". You do sort of feel you are in a club when you go to Miles Kane gigs.

 Would always recommend Miles Kane as a live act. A memorable night overall, and the Electric Ballroom is a good venue if you get down to the front. I make that proviso only because it is quite a narrow stage so the audience goes a long way back. But it is amazingly convenient for Camden Town tube and a quick getaway