Bombay Bicycle Club (UK)
Jack Steadman, Bombay Bicycle Club - The Forum, 20th March 2012
London lads Bombay Bicycle Club seemingly exceeded even their own expectations with their standalone shows in Melbourne. Originally booked for Richmond’s Corner Hotel, ticket sales were so fierce that it saw the gig moved to the far more plush surrounds of the Forum Theatre.
In Melbourne to support Mancunians Elbow the following night, Bombay Bicycle Club seemed to revel in headlining their own stage.
Already with 3 albums behind them, the boys from Crouch End in North London delivered a set which showed why they’ve gained such a big following back home in the UK.
What’s clear from the moment Jack Steadman strides to the front of stage is just how capable a live act BBC are. Musically, the sound is as true to the record as anything you’d hear, and Steadman’s voice is a melodic missile that cuts through the mix provided by bandmates Jamie MacColl (Guitar), the babyfaced Ed Nash (Bass) and Suren De Saram (Drums). Louis Bhose does an incredible job also on keys, guitar and banjo.
They’re admittedly shy though, and rely heavily on the songs to reach the audience rather than engaging in too much on stage chat. Thankfully, the strength of the songs carries the crowd along with them.
Kicking off the night with How Can You Swallow So Much Sleep, the slow burning opener from last year’s A Different Kind of Fix, it doesn’t take the band long to kick into gear. The metronomic intro of Your Eyes follows, and Steadman’s high pitched vocal floats over the low-fi backing from the band.
Stepping back briefly to 2009, Magnet - the third single from debut album I Had The Blues But I Shook Them Loose - sees the band click into a higher gear, wrestling with their guitars against furious strobing. Hey, it was a prick to photograph but it looked pretty good. (more…)