White Denim live review by Ryan Beardsley
Austin, Texas is oft considered one of the most remarkable music scenes across the globe, and representing that to the fullest are garage rock, cult heroes White Denim. Tonight they have crossed the Atlantic and descended on Kentish Town to showcase their most recent release, the critically acclaimed ‘12’.
It might be the most laid-back concert I’ve ever attended truth be told. The band, due on stage at 20:30, are out early for a sound check and politely ask the crowd if it’s ok they just start early, as it would feel too formal to walk off and then come back on again! Obviously that’s fine with the fans.
It’s a mammoth 2-hour plus set that takes in all of the band’s back catalogue, from 2008’s spiky debut Workout Holiday to their opus, 2011’s all-timer ‘D’, supplemented by fan favourites and extended jams in between.
Singer James Petralli might be the most relaxed frontman in all of rock and roll, at one point politely explaining he’s not ready for a conversation this early in the set whilst asking permission to change the setlist around because one of his friends has to leave early, it would almost be too wholesome if it wasn’t so authentic.
But his voice is superb, at times gritty and at others delicate, showcasing the full breadth of White Denim’s lavish back catalogue, that judging by tonight’s crowd, means so much to so many.
It’s far from a one man show and if another individual is threatening to steal it, then it’s eccentric axeman Cat Clemons and his pink guitar, busting out solos at will and driving the band forward through their heavier numbers, a true showman.
Highlights of the night Anvil Everything, showcasing the bands tendency to experiment with unusual song structures where you never know if the track the is coming or going before it’s hypnotic chorus wraps itself around you.
It’s just all so relaxed, it truly feels like you’re a fly on the wall in a jam session and all the better for it, no airs and graces. I’ve genuinely never seen a live act flit so seamlessly from one track to the next with half a breath in between, they’re keen to give the audience their money’s worth and a 30 song set does just that.
Catch them on our side of the pond and you won’t leave disappointed.
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