The Xcerts / The Darling Buds / Tapestry [Live Review – The Boileroom, Guildford, 16/7/14]
Tapestry
When the opening band kicks off with a riff that transports you back to the glory days of alt-metal, you know it’s going to be a good night.
Tapestry tick all the alt-metal boxes: Ballsy riffage, thick and meaty guitar tones, intense drumming, an incredible vocalist, and a band comprised of individual personalities. They put so much energy into their performance that it went far beyond the usual blood, sweat, and tears. But although it was entertaining, technically awesome, and played to a rapturously applauding (and sizeable) core crowd of fans, it still looks like early days for these guys.
To get to the next level, Tapestry need to work on two things: songwriting, and communication. At present, their songs are mainly technical showcases, leaving them battered and exhausted two songs in without providing much that sticks in the ears and makes you want to head for the merch table afterwards. Reeling the showboating in and pacing songs so they have ups, downs, dynamic shifts, loops and sharp turns will take Tapestry far. The good news here is that Tapestry have the technique and musicality needed to convey their passion through their music – whereas a band who lack soul, skill, and energy will suck regardless of the song they’re playing.
As far as communication goes, Tapestry aren’t afraid to look their fans in the eye. This is a good thing, and rare for a band at their level. But there wasn’t much communication going on between the band members; when this happens, and a band look like strangers onstage, it becomes very difficult for them to draw an audience in and create the buzzing, all-inclusive, and energetic atmosphere that a live show really needs in order to be awesome.
If you go and see Spotlight Cannibal, Shrine, Protest The Hero, or Reel Big Fish (to name but four of the hundreds of mind-blowing bands featured here at TMMP), you can tell instantly that the band are close friends, and they’re not afraid to project that fellow feeling into their crowds. This draws people in – whether they’re a fan already or not.
The downside to all this is that it’s something that can’t really be deliberately developed or faked – it takes time. But I’ve no doubt that with time, Tapestry will evolve into a force to be reckoned with.
The Darling Buds
I really enjoyed this set – it was crammed with fantastic songs, and there were some great and goosebump-inducing singalong moments. The Darling Buds have obviously won the minds of many fans; by this point the Boileroom was already starting to fill up. And despite being clearly exhausted by a rigorous tour schedule, there was plenty of appreciative and funny crowd banter. The Darling Buds love their fans, and the feeling is more than mutual.
However, these guys are obviously ambitious – and the next level is within their grasp if they address one issue. Rhythm. A great song and a great lyric will win over a fan’s mind, but in order to win his or her heart you have to make them move. The heart is the body’s rhythmic centre, after all.
Although I loved all the songs here, the instruments behind the vocal kept things so simple that it bordered on being (I hate to say it) boring in places. Too many consistent quarter- or eighth-notes make everything too straight and uptight; on the other hand, toward the end of the set there was a song in 6/8, and the final set-closing tune contained plenty of syncopation. It was only during those songs that I noticed the crowd start to really move, as well as sing along – and it happened because those tunes flowed that much more seductively.
Overall, however, The Darling Buds’ set was a really good time. Their cover of Hurt was awesome, and as I mentioned above they’re halfway to being a world-class band. Addressing the rhythm issue, and penning more songs in the vein of those final two mind-and-heart-winning tunes, will take them very very far indeed.
The Xcerts
This is how it’s done. The first guitar part to drift through the air was syncopated, and there was a ton of brotherly energy in the air. The Xcerts clearly know their stuff musically and technically, but it was employed to serve their songs – and the songs themselves were fucking excellent. There just wasn’t anything to fault here. Seriously.
This was an absolute masterclass in alt/pop-rock songwriting and performance. It was impossible to look away, and a packed room of Xcerts fans was full of head-bobbing, hip-grinding, and people singing along. If you’re in a band, this is what you want to experience – and The Xcerts not only got it, but made it clear that they were loving every second.
After seeing Reel Big Fish play the same room last week, the bar was officially raised for all acts to follow – and The Excerts vaulted said bar almost effortlessly. Songs like Crisis In The Slow Lane, Aberdeen 1987, and new single Shaking In The Water all won, and won hard; those tracks are nothing short of perfection, and the ideal model for any aspiring alt-rock act.
However, in order to really hit home you need that all-important idiosyncratic flair and a level of passion that can’t be faked or imitated. The Xcerts have both. In abundance. Overall, this was downright stunning, and well worth double the price of admission.
Kudos to the Boileroom team as always, and Olly Dexter and Jamie for a wicked sound job.
Links
The Excerts’ official website.
The Darling Buds on Facebook.
Jamie Campbell Bower (vocalist of The Darling Buds) on Twitter.
Tapestry on Facebook.
Follow TMMP on Twitter for more awesome music! If you’re a regular reader, thanks for the support! Don’t stop, and keep going!