After a reasonably lengthy lay-off in the wake of 2010′s excellent Smother, Wild Beasts are heralding their imminent return with a short run of U.K dates. Road testing some new material, with more than a fair share of fan favourites from previous releases thrown in, the band came to Nottingham’s Rescue Rooms with their inimitable charm and wit in tow.
Opening with new track ‘Wanderlust’, there appears to be a sense of immediacy and even arrogance as Hayden Thorpe warns the crowd “don’t confuse me with somebody who gives a fuck”, whilst drummer Chris Talbot pounds the skins with an almost tribal quality. Familiar territory follows with ‘We Still Got The Taste Dancing On Our Tongues’ and ‘Reach A Bit Further’, the latter of which sees Thorpe and Tom Fleming share vocal responsibilities in a call and response manner that suits them down to the ground as the falsetto of Thorpe contrasts with Fleming’s deeper croon.
More new material followed with ‘Sweet Spot’, a song which, more than anything, suggests the sexual subtext of Wild Beast’s music isn’t going anywhere and that’s absolutely fine. Fan favorite ‘The Devils Crayon’ then gets a hearty run out and serves to illustrate just how impressive the band’s sonic progression has been since their early days. The song doesn’t feel out of place or forced in any way, proving that whilst they’ve developed a staggering amount, they retain an identity and sense of texture entirely in and of itself and, most importantly, startlingly unique.
After another new song, the lush piano led ‘Pregnant Pause’, it’s time for ‘Albatross’ a track that never fails to impress in a live setting. The shuddering bass and powerfully resonant guitar construct an entirely more muscular, encapsulating version of the song than is heard on record. The ambience and atmospherics of the Smother highlight come to the fore here, enhancing the textures and tonal quality of every aspect of the sound. The next new song, ‘Dogs Life’ is perhaps the highlight of the night. A patient, brooding opening section pave the way for the band to really let loose and treat the crowd to a rousing and cinematic track that few would have seen coming.
Wild Beasts close out their set by reeling off some of their back catalog and ending the night with ‘Lion’s Share’, which sounds as fresh and downright hypnotic as it did the first time I played Smother. Perhaps the most impressive thing about Wild Beasts is just that. They may not shout about it, but they have carefully amassed a back catalog that, upon retrospection, is one of the most vibrant and charismatic discographies of any modern British band. They perpetuate an off-kilter romance that is fully reflective in the sheer variety of people who have come to see them tonight. There is an elegant air of confidence that is never smarmy or condescending, more humbling and indicative that this band genuinely mean it when they thank their audience, and that’s just nice sometimes, isn’t it?
Best: ‘Albatross’ sounding enormous, as well as the excellent sounding new material.
Worst: Nah.
Setlist:
- Wanderlust
- We Still Got The Taste Dancing On Our Tongues
- Reach A Bit Further
- Sweet Spot
- The Devil’s Crayon
- The Fun Powder Plot
- Pregnant Pause
- Albatross
- Hooting & Howling
- Dog’s Life
- Loop The Loop
- Bed Of Nails
- This Is Our Lot
- All The King’s Men
- Lion’s Share
