Twenty Below Live Reviews: April - June
Hi, hi, hello, this is our second gig review installment of the year collecting our highlights from April to June. We will try and keep it short just focussing on the shows that we loved and got us excited. Included is a short accompanying playlist.
Luke> The Dare brought his much hyped Frequencies night from NYC to the suitably dingey dungeon that is Peckham Audio. With only a handful of tracks out in the wild we were curious to see if he lived up to the noise around him but from the get go this was pure FUN (and he can mix too, not just a poser). I got asked if I was Mark Ronson by some 18 year old which I guess I’ll take some kind of compliment(?) I mean, why else would a guy in his early 40s be here? The moment it all popped off was when he dropped Charli XCX's ‘Von Dutch’ and the place was truly bouncing with every word shouted back. By that point the crowd had swamped the stage and the air was thick with cigarette smoke.
Imogen> I knew I was making a dangerous move as I trekked to join Luke and the boys on the other side of London mid-week for a set that didn’t start until midnight. But I needed to let off some steam, and rumours of The Dare’s sets were proving hard to ignore. And I’m glad because he absolutely lived up to it. A sight to behold behind the decks in his suit and sunglasses, mixing tracks that have no business working so well together. It was perfect chaos and worth the headache.
Luke> It is always a treat to go to a show at Barbican Hall, a setting fitting of the worlds finest talent so Julian Lage was right at home. The Blue Note signed avant jazz guitarist and trio were in explosive form. My mind was doing somersaults trying to keep up and without wishing to be too nerdy about it, this guy's tone and touch is out of this world. While some famous guitar players like to be showy, this guy deeply feels what he plays and it is hypnotic to watch. A talent for the ages.
Imogen> The Streets on The Other Stage at Glasto pushed all the right buttons. Mike Skinner knows the festival inside and out, which meant he knew exactly what we were all feeling on the Saturday - “I hate to be the bearer of bad news but we are closer to the beginning than the end. We do not have much time” he told us before launching himself into the crowd to the dirty bass line of “Who’s Got The Bag”. It’s hard to tell when that man is freestyling and when it’s part of a track. He has to be one of the smartest and best performers I’ve seen, and this is your public service announcement to go see them live if you haven’t before.
Luke> I first came across Kacey Musgraves when she released Golden Hour and fell absolutely head over heels for her new breed of country. It was the past and the future in equal measure, a production and songs that felt instantly timeless. She played two nights at The Roundhouse as part of her Deeper Well European tour and I was lucky enough to go and it did not disappoint. The band were on fire and Kaceys voice effortless, her lyric "happy and sad at the same time” kind of sums it up. I felt it all.
Imogen> As the afternoon sun was in full force on Friday at Glastonbury, Chicago rapper Noname took to the West Holts Stage. It was the perfect time for a delicious serving of her jazz, hip hop and soul fusion. The band were entirely in the pocket, with shuffly rhythms and bass lines no one could help but move to, and her wordplay literally blew my mind - so eloquently moving between powerful political statements to just incredibly witty and hilarious rhymes that had us all laughing out loud. I’m obsessed.
Luke> My favourite show of 2021 was Remi Wolf at The Moth Club which she truly ate up so I couldn't wait to see her again. This one off show at Brixton Electric coincided with her UK tour support for Olivia Rodrigo so was very much a fans only affair. Inevitably it was feverishly received with the crowd hanging off her every word. The band is so tight and infectious that you can’t help but dance, truly one of the most feel good shows you could see. Remi is an underrated voice at this point and in ‘Toro' she has the low-key pop single of the year. If there is any justice the upcoming record will break her to a much bigger audience she richly deserves.
Imogen> It’s going to be hard to capture the magic of LCD Soundsystem on the Pyramid Stage, it gives me goosebumps to remember it. The sun was setting and the synths started pulsing for “Oh Baby” below their giant disco ball and backed by trippy hazy visuals. The set took us from anticipation into indie sleaze party into pure euphoria, ending the set perfectly with “All My Friends”. To me, that song sums up Glastonbury and I might not be able to listen to it without crying for a while.
Luke> Brixton Windmill hosted a three night sold out run for Chicago band Ratboys. Rather than playing a bigger venue they opted for the intimate and charmingly grubby setting of Brixtons finest flat roof boozer. I must say, I always love how bands sound in this place. Like sitting in on a band practice, it is loud and inescapably engaging. The country-tinged indie rock band ripped through tracks from their last three albums and were in fine form.
Imogen> Following the release of her stunning album Bright Future, Adrianne Lenker played at the Barbican. I was curious to see how her introspective style of indie folk would translate in such a grand concert hall, but as soon as she started I think we all kind of forgot where we were. She sat wearing a stetson with her foot on a stool, close miked and totally at one with her guitar, alongside lifelong bestie Nick Hakim on piano and a brilliant violinist. It felt like we were just listening to her practice with her pals in her room (but with top tier acoustics). She gave an unabashedly vulnerable performance to go with her deeply honest songs, all the while showing glimpses of her wicked sense of humour in her very brief stage chatter. A favourite of the year so far.
