Live Review
Blossoms + The Vryll Society + The Lapelles
Hoxton Square Bar & Kitchen, London
July 9 2016
Words: Jess Sharrock
In Hoxton Square, in the heart of London's Shoreditch, on a busy summery Saturday evening, came three bands to hit up the NME and Topman 'Sounds of Summer’ gig, each of which could easily have been the night's headliner.
The Lapelles are a Scottish five-piece indie pop band from East Kilbride, just outside of Glasgow, and if you haven't heard of them yet, it's fairly certain that you will be before too long. Although four out of the five are still in their teens (and made me feel old), they kicked off the show in style; their infectious sound is up there with the best of them. Playing an energetic and exciting set, their fanbase clearly ever-growing judging by those here tonight.
Drawing on a short, but perfectly executed, set of songs such as ‘Seventeen’, ‘Toronto’ and ‘The Strand’ with intelligent lyrics and addictive melodies, The Lapelles are as much about having a dance as listening intently. They have been supporting various big names (The Last Shadow Puppets, The Kooks, The View), but you feel they have the potential to be massive in the not too distant future.
Fresh from their recent impressive appearance on the BBC Introducing Stage at Glastonbury, The Vryll Society show just why they are currently being much vaunted. The young, progressive rock band from Liverpool have started to make some seriously creative waves in the music world with their distinctive songs formed of layered guitar riffs, melodic rhythms and the soulful voice of lead singer, Michael Ellis. Songs including ‘Deep Blue Skies’ and ‘Coshh’ had the room hooked from start to finish.
Headlining were of course Stockport’s finest, Blossoms, who by this point need little introduction. Fitting in this show in between playing the day before in Spain at Bilbao's BBK Live festival, and the day following at T in the Park, the band were clearly buzzing for their not far off debut album release. Delivering one great song after another, this evening gave them a chance to not only air their more recognizable songs like 'At Most A Kiss', 'Blown Rose', ‘Getaway’ and current addictive earworm single ‘Charlemagne’, but also to bring out new material including ‘Deep Grass’, one song that may well end up becoming another Blossoms classic.
Their staunch army of fans in the room were left hanging onto each of their perfectly formed psych-pop songs, singing their hearts out, word perfect with all. Blossoms have been making a well-earned name for themselves in the past couple of years, but without a doubt this year will definitely see them explode. I can’t imagine the new album being anything short of wonderful; one well worth a listen.
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