The early-2010s nostalgia ride that seemingly everyone is on lately continues tonight at Clwb Ifor Bach: Birmingham’s Swim Deep celebrate the 10-year anniversary of their debut album Where The Heaven Are We, with former Palma Violets man Chilli Jesson in tow as support.
Away from the Violets (who are now known as Gently Tender and played in Cardiff last year supporting The Big Moon), Jesson is plying his new really very good new material. Carolina Reaper and St Vitamin rip through the room quite nicely with Jesson saving the best (literally) for last with the Violets cut Best Of Friends landing very well indeed to finish his set. It’s an exciting time for Jesson; we’re looking forward to seeing what he does next.
As evidenced by the pre-recorded spoken word intro, Where The Heaven Are We is an album that means a lot to a lot of people, as Swim Deep frontman Austin Williams steps onto stage alone for Intro before the rest of the band appear for the slick Francisco. “We’re doing the first album in full, so you know what’s next…” Williams says, before indie staple Honey, and indeed there aren’t any surprises in the set. “We haven’t played the next two songs for 10 years outside of rehearsals… nostalgia!” he adds before Make My Sun Shine and The Sea – reinforcing that tonight is really an exercise in nostalgia for a band who never really broke through into the mainstream. They do however maintain a healthy fanbase, who sing almost every word.
There is a feeling of a band going through the motions though with the majority of the set. On finishing Where The…, Swim Deep return with some newer material, such as To Feel Good, aired in the encore. This wasn’t a bad gig by any means, but there is a feeling that something’s lacking in the air tonight – still, here’s to a great record.
Swim Deep, Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff, Tue 30 May
words JOSHUA WILLIAMS
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