Noah and The Whale first appeared on my radar when the cheery tune 'Five Years Time' propelled the band into the spotlight an incredible three summers ago. Reaching the top ten in 2008, the catchy single had actually been released a year earlier but failed to make a dent in the charts.
Proving they are far from 'one hit wonders', the Twickenham five-piece have truly made their mark with the hugely successful release of third studio album Last Night On Earth earlier this year.
The O2 Academy played host to the assembled sell-out crowd last night, comprised of the most varied age groups I've witnessed in recent years. From families with young children, a hoard of hormonal female teens, students and twenty-somethings right up to 50-year old musos, all were gathered to be treated to the likeable brand of folk-rock-pop from singer-songwriter Charlie Fink, violin player Tom Hobden, bassist Matt "Urby Whale" Owens, guitarist Fred Abbott and drummer Michael Petulla.
Impeccably dressed in trademark suits and waistcoats, the gang were greeted by a somewhat mixed array of gleeful screams, polite applause and subdued nods of acknowledgement as they arrived on stage. Kicking off with a track from their debut album Give a Little Love, the mood was set for a night of wonderful harmonies and a showcase of talented musicianship as the album tracks came thick and fast. Undeniably charming, each track had me vowing to purchase NATW's entire back-catalogue. Yet, despite thought-provoking lyrics, without prior knowledge of these tunes, I felt a little alienated from the band mid-way through the set list. While my lack of album-knowledge is far from NATW's fault, I'd wager half the audience felt similarly, and after a distinct lull in energy came the magic words from Charlie Fink; "Now it's time for the fun part of the set!" Bursting into familiar favourites "Tonight’s The Kind Of Night, Five Years Time and Waiting For My Chance To Come in quick succession got even the 'oldies' in the crowd's blood pumping.
As Fink announced that the rousing finale in L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N was the 'last song' the air was tinged with disappointment after just 60 minutes of stage time. Stomping feet and squeals from the teens demanded NATW return for an encore, which they dutifully did with a beautifully wistful rendition of Old Joy and the night came to a close with the climactic The First Days of Spring.
Effortlessly uplifting at every juncture, NATW's likeability across all age groups proves that this unique outfit have much more to offer than their popular cluster of well-known hits to date. But who knows where we'll all be in five years' time so catch them while you can!
8/10
New Noah And The Whale Tour Dates are as follows:
Saturday 17th MARCH DUBLIN, Olympia (date rescheduled from Oct)
Tuesday 20th EDINBURGH, Picture House
Wednesday 21st NEWCASTLE, O2 Academy (date rescheduled from Oct)
Thursday 22nd SHEFFIELD, O2 Academy
Saturday 24th YORK, Barbican
Sunday 25th PORTSMOUTH, Guildhall
Monday 26th SOUTHEND, Cliffs Pavilion
Wednesday 28th PLYMOUTH, Pavillion
Thursday 29th WOLVERHAMPTON, Civic Hall
Friday 20th MANCHESTER, O2 Apollo
Monday 16th APRIL LONDON, ROYAL ALBERT HALL
Tickets for all shows are on sale now (10am Friday, October 14th) through www.seetickets.com
www.noahandthewhale.com
Denise Welch's mum dies on star's birthday
(Tue 22/05)
Bold Management showcase @ Revolution
(Thu 17/05)
Post a comment