Brudenell Social Club, Leeds
08/02/2012
Any band that opens a set with a cover of Pulp isn’t just there to excite nostalgic 90s kids; their hidden intentions usually involve setting up the night for some shuffle-style dancing and synth-driven indie tuneage. The opening track and recently released ‘Two Cousins’ went down as well as the fitted burglar-esque striped shirt from talented lead guitarist Charles. The distinctive two-part vocal harmonies reigned and quite aptly filled our hearts with a warming touch of homeliness, much like the signature bunting strung around them. As far as the love spread, early single release ‘Giving up on Love’ could either be embraced as a beautiful irony or a celebration of fate, with a week to go before Cupid is set to strikes up his bow.
Former members of the Sheffield based group ‘The Lonely Hearts’ Charles and Rebecca seem to have a running theme; their switch from four piece to duo in 2006 shows that popularity isn’t always increased with numbers. The indent they have made on the folk rock world is expanding faster than the demand for derelict rooms in empty office blocks for impromptu rehearsals. Maybe they are enforcing the fact that they are well travelled, or living up to the wandering minstrel roots, but the photos of guitars and tambourines in front of large panels of single glazing appearing all over the internet seem to be in various parts of the UK and trending amongst musicians of this calibre. Spreading of love and music shouldn’t seem too surprising as this band have hopped from tour buses to toothpaste adverts, with 2010 hit “Apples and Pears” featuring in a Macleans ad. However, they have clearly managed to steer clear from the tarnishing of the one-track ad band label, with this gig highlighting their squeaky clean diversity as accomplished musicians.
Their vitality got the crowd into what could only be described as an energetic sway: enough power to raise the endorphins, whilst simultaneously remaining folk-like and sweet enough to prompt wistful expressions of awe from the onlookers. After all, poetic eccentricity is a central concept to this duo’s makeup – a sound that represents the Christmas jumper becoming cool. With the opportunity to break into a barn dance with songs like ‘Where I’m waking,’ and the next minute feel quaint and reflective with ‘Christmas TV’, this hour long set provided a perfect package of emotions which resulted in an all over auditory phenomenon! Slow Club have been predicted big things; and constantly exceeding expectations, this may be the last tour we see them in venues the size of your high school foyer – fingerless gloves crossed they stick to the winning direction.
Sarah Tyler
Image: nordicdesign on Flickr
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