Ahead of the release of their debut album in April, indie-pop outfit Eliza and the Bear are embarking on one of those UK tours that takes them to all the towns that their unlikely to visit again any time soon. Who else really needs to do a show in Falmouth? Saturday (January 23rd) saw the turn of St Albans, Hertfordshire at the premier city venue, The Horn. Enter Shikari, Friendly Fires and The Subways just a handful of local bands that have graced the stage here in previous years.
The first sold out show of the tour saw them play through what’s bound to be every song from their debut album to a lively crowd of 170 very sweaty people. Predominately overly sweaty teenagers in the midst of their ‘every gig is the greatest gig I’ve ever been to’ phase. In this case, they would have a good point though.
Opening with previous EP hits, ‘Lion’s Heart’ and ‘Light It Up’, they strolled through their set with relevant ease. Needless to say they’re a slick operation, with each song more perfected than the last. It’s easy to draw comparisons to Mumford & Sons and The Lumineerswith their upbeat, folky, indie-pop sound, but don’t be put off. Whilst their lyrically they may not shake you to your core, unless your 19 or younger, they’ve still got some foot stomping woah-ohs in their locker that are well worth a listen. It’s merit to them that they are able to produce a number of high quality songs whilst other bands around them struggle to imitate anything near as good.
Soaking up all the energy from the crowd, their penultimate song saw them break out in to the more familiar ‘Friends’ before concluding with a crowd pleasing ‘It Gets Cold’. If tonight’s show is anything to go by these boys are going to be big, so see them now as it’s unlikely you’ll ever see them in such a small venue again.
Support came from teenage solo act Kloe, and Slowlights. Missed the latter, the former- not so good.
9/11
By @thejoeeley
