More on: Late Of The Pier

Date: 19/09/08
Rating:

With the recent closure of established London venues The Cross and Turnmills it's time for a new face on the capital's nocturnal landscape. Matter is the brainchild of the people behind Fabric and their chosen location is the seemingly unending mass of space previously known as the Millenium Dome, already home to the vast O2 Arena and more intimate IndigO2 venue. So what's the fuss? Well there is room aplenty for 2600 revellers in a spacious purpose built venue over a spiralling three floors, with a downstairs stage and seated area. There are video screens everywhere and a bone-shattering sound system that delivers the perfect synthesis of aural and visual stimulation.

Friday 19th September sees the launch of their weekly live night which is a resounding triumph despite some minor queuing problems and the non-appearance of King Monkey Ian Brown due to illness. After the deck spinning frivolity of Radio 1 DJ Huw Stephens it is Iglu & Hartly who open up with a relievably short set which exposes their shambolic anaemic vocals and bad hip-hop posturing. A supercharged call and response 'In The City' is a minor saving grace but infinitely better are fellow new kids on the block Late Of The Pier who play out of their skins. Not wasting any time they launch into a frenetic rendition of 'Space In The Woods' before giving us blasts of Led Zep worthy frenzied guitars, blissed out psychedelia and synth driven mentalism. Blocks of wood are the new cowbells and these are put to use during what has to rank as the best animal referencing song of 2008, 'The Bears Are Coming'. Singer Samuel Eastgate is commanding throughout, dressed in all red whilst one fellow band member must have raided Naboo's wardrobe or skim read his little black book of fashion tips at the very least. Energy oozes from every pore of the foursome's performance and is matched with an unshakeable confidence that belie their tender years. 'Focker' and 'Bathroom Gurgle' provoke scenes of delighted mayhem with the formation of a mini mosh pit which sees beer being spilled everywhere as the audience find their dancing shoes after a busy working week.

From a band at the start of their career to a collective who've been around nearly a decade and have gradually established themselves as a potent festival act. UNKLE's live set-up incorporates knob twiddlers James Lavelle and Pablo Clements alongside a drummer, keyboard player and brace of guitarists, one of whom has clearly been playing too much Guitar Hero judging by his over the top stage histrionics. By interspersing sample-based tracks, like an all guns blazing take on 'Reign', with live vocal contributions from the likes of Joel Cadbury and Gavin Clark there was a distinct pattern and predictability to the evening's events.

It is a pleasure however to witness a rare guest appearance from ex-Cult frontman Ian Astbury whose tortured vocal and jolting movements bring a real emotive kick to a haunting 'Burn My Shadow', which features some gorgeous three-part harmonies. Opening instrumental 'Chemistry' is also proof of what the band are capable of with its soaring strings, moody guitars and crashing drums, although the set is spoilt by the inclusion of turgid rock-by-numbers efforts like the James Lavelle fronted 'Hold My Hand' which served only to satisfy his inner rock god fantasies.

Their gritty wall of noise sound is accompanied throughout by black and white images of storm clouds, pylons and menacing human heads, but rockier material from recent LP 'War Stories', which forms the backbone of the set, is plodding and uninspiring, soliciting minimal audience reaction. Tonight sees a victory of quality over experience, though this concert will be merely a fleeting memory in just weeks from now.

Greg Inglis

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