DAUGHTER / INDIANS | LIVE REVIEW
Great Hall, Cardiff University Students Union, Fri 25 Nov
For this evening, the thanks must go to the legendary 4AD for the temporary hire of two of their best and brightest. Indians, brainchild of the classically trained Søren Løkke Juul, and Daughter: originally a solo outlet for Elena Tonra but now a full-blown band with a burgeoning popularity.
Despite having performed as a trio in the past, it is alone that Juul makes an understated entrance to the stage, starting as he means to go on with layer upon layer of piano and synth chords combining to create a shimmering haze, the overriding sense of tranquillity pierced only by the glacial vocals of the great Dane. A testament to one man’s creativity, Indians are utterly absorbing; that such a sound can be wrought from as such a modest set-up as was on-stage also points to their brilliance, and you would think that they will continue to make many friends as they take their music to the masses.
With their warmly received debut album If You Leave having been realised earlier in the year, it is to an expectant crowd littered with Tonra-a-likes that Daughter take to the stage. Opening with the haunting Still, the band are straight into their stride and, a few sound problems notwithstanding, manage to stay there throughout the duration of the set. Tonra is a rather more introverted presence on stage than her immensely personal lyrics and tone would suggest, not distant by any means, but certainly detached. Happily, what the performance lacks in energy is more than made up for in intensity, as they smoulder through a set high on emotion and an unrequited yearning.
As well as the best of the debut, long-term fans are audibly happy to hear Landfill and Candles from the His Wild Heart EP; and particularly Youth from The Wild Youth EP, Daughter’s breakthrough hit which unsurprisingly receives both the biggest cheer and sing-along of the night. Closing with a breathy cover of Daft Punk’s all-encompassing super hit Get Lucky, coming soon to an advert near you, Daughter are roared off stage and Tonra breaks into a well-earned grin.
words NICK MERRIMAN
photo: ELIOT LEE HAZEL