HIMALAYAS | LIVE REVIEW
Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff, Sat 24 Feb
Presented by This Feeling, “the best club in the UK for future rock’n’roll stars” according to Noel Gallagher, Himalayas have a lot to live up to for their hometown show in Clwb Ifor Bach – the perfect location to end their UK tour.
Openers Chapel Row should be praised for their efforts in engaging the small audience. Frontman Diggs Galliers takes time to explain song contexts and have a conversation with the crowd, and the set becomes more intimate as the audience move closer. Next up are The Velvet Hands, who compare themselves, not inaccurately, to The Rolling Stones and The Strokes. Movement again develops, with dancing front of stage and head bops throughout. Although this may the band’s first visit to Cardiff, the level of appreciation suggests it won’t be their last.
The room fills ready for Himalayas and they do not disappoint. The set provides a mix of fan favourites tactically placed towards the beginning and end, as well as the unknown – the boys know how to maintain their audience. The dancing, singing and photographing does not stop: it’s clear the band have made a name for themselves in the last year. Adding new songs I’m Telling You and Mirrors to the mix, drummer James Goulbourn wants more from the crowd mid-set and gestures for greater movement and moshing, the crowd easily persuaded into showing him what they can do. With guitarist Mike Griffiths taking occasional lead on vocals and pulling off impressive guitar solos,
Himalayas succeeded in keeping the crowd put until their explosive ending. Biggest hit Thank God I’m Not You ignites a fire; for an encore of Heaven Knows, frontman Joseph Williams takes the opportunity to crowdsurf before setting up a microphone amongst the audience, building a relationship with the fans for final song Cheap Thrills.
Williams ends the set by diving into Goulbourn’s drums; it seems ending the tour with a hometown show left Himalayas eager for more and very ready for their American dates in the coming weeks.
words and photos AMY FARRER