LOS CAMPESINOS! | LIVE REVIEW
Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff, Thurs 5 Dec
Starting off very seriously Los Campesinos! entered the stage to an excited and supportive crowd of fans. They launched into songs from their new album No Blues , which a significant portion of the crowd could sing-along religiously – despite the fact that the album was released little over a month ago.
After the introductions were done LC! appeared to relax into their performance, and what continued was a fun and friendly show that got better and better as it went along .
The show had all the benefits of a good ol’ homecoming gig. Front man Gareth David joked that, having not done a gig in almost a year, that they could probably have done with one more practice. However their energy and genuine appreciation people in Cardiff (special mentions were made to many including Clwb Ifor Bach and the Cardiff Cougar AllStar Cheerleaders) more than made up for any flaws.
Technically the show could have been better; the sound mixing on the vocals meant that LC!’s haunting harmonies were lost, and an echo effect added to some of the lead vocals came off as a bit cheesy. These technical issues, however, were overshadowed by the energy and enthusiasm for both popular old and electrifying new songs.
The show ended with two of the bands most popular tunes. The song I would have pegged for the finales was instead the penultimate track. The fun and jumpy You! Me! Dancing! created an explosion of vigour in the crowd as everyone threw themselves fully into dance (good or otherwise – in the spirit of the song it didn’t really matter).
Instead LC! chose to finish their show with the much more sombre The Sea Is A Good Place To Think Of The Future. At first this seem like a bit of a downer to end on, but it soon became apparent that the power of this more solemn song was stirring and heartfelt end to a good show.
words HEATHER ARNOLD