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Vampire Weekend / It Hugs Back
London, Borderline
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Article
written by Paul M
Nov 4, 2007.
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If the Devil really has all the best tunes then the ghoulishly monikered Vampire Weekend would be well placed to fill their pockets while Old Nick wasn’t looking. The venue’s packed and appropriately the place stinks of sulphur. Fortunately it’s not burning brimstone but someone’s demonic arse; one of the downside’s of smoke free environments is you get to smell what someone else has had for tea. Amongst the parpy bottomed throng are countless industry types, radio DJs, A&R reps, journos and performers. I find my view partially blocked by the potato headed, lipless mockney, Jack Penate and even a few toots from my own bum trumpet won’t shift the useless fool.
Luckily I’m soon distracted by the support, It Hugs Back, who do themselves no harm with so many music bigwigs present by delivering a lovely set of gentle blissful pop; Mmmm, a shoegazing shimmer here and the odd folky tiptoe there. Nice. However the real buzz is about the Vamps, a hubbub, nay frenzy, borne from producing two of the most exciting singles this year. I’d be surprised if many are disappointed too. With their NYC preppy looks, jiggling African rhythms and corking great hooks they certainly tick most boxes in my book, even if Ezra’s shoeless feet clad in fluorescent yellow socks are a fashion no-no. They describe themselves as Upper West Side Soweto and that just about sums them up; a few nods to the Big Apple’s musical heritage, past and present, with the Strokes, Talking Heads and Television all being obvious influences but with the added bonus of a heavy dollop of Paul Simon’s Graceland album’s skipping percussion heavy township dancebeats. Brilliant. Mansard Roof is released tomorrow on XL. Don’t miss out.
Setlist:
Mansard Roof
Campus
Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa
Bryn
M79
A-Punk
One (Blake’s Got A New Face)
I Stand Corrected
The Kids Don’t Stand A Chance
Oxford Comma
Walcott
Untitled Document
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