Tantrums are standing on the verge of getting it on. The outfit have matured dramatically since the start of 2011, ascending into a dazzling tornado of intelligent noise. Their support slot tonight marks their last show before heading to the UK to produce their debut record with none other than the lads from UNKLE. Despite sporting a frontwoman who was nursing a busted collarbone and being deprived of their foldback, they still managed to conjure a remarkable set of intoxicating rhythm. The glitched out effects which defined their earlier work still stand, but are dwarfed by the magnitude of the effect of the live drums. Definitely ones to watch in 2012.
No matter how many times you witness it, the way Wintercoats crafts his live material is always something to behold. There’s a certain physicality which underpins the manifestation of these sublime tracks, with a series of looped thwacks guiding the percussion, and the curious us of violin-fed vocal takes forming a show which is quite unlike anything else out there at the moment.
Tracks form Sketches obviously made up most of the setlist, with Working On A Dream predictably hypnotising the packed bandroom. Luckily we were also treated to the Wintercoats rendition of TLC classic No Scrubs. There’s every risk that the track could run into gimmick territory, but there’s an endearing authenticity to the cover which can’t be denied.
LOVED: “Also known as a bust-ah”.
HATED: There wasn’t a one-two punch backed up by Unpretty.
DRANK: Just a cup of coffee. Beer it is!
