The Kairos & Florentenes at Colours, Hoxton: An Indie Rock Resurgence
The Kairos at headline London show in Colours, Hoxton. Image credit: Paddy Whidborne
Yesterday evening proved these bands are onto something… and TOPNOTE’s invested.
Londoners will know the tussle between ditching plans and trawling through standstill inner-city traffic when a tube strike is announced. But those who committed to make it to The Kairos’ show at Colours in Hoxton last night would know they’d made the right decision from the first few notes; for all in the audience were treated to a thrilling evening from some majorly exciting artists emerging in the modern rock scene.
Read our review of the evening, and take a look at our gig gallery for the best photos from the show.
The Kairos’ frontman Tom Dempsey’s signature performance style at last night’s show. Image Credit: Paddy Whidborne
Kicking off the night was Neil Noa, a new name showcasing a rich voice that landed nicely on the ears of a fast-filling room. Next on the bill were Florentenes, a rising Bolton band who’ve been forging momentum with their raw, urgent stream of singles and EPs. They might look innocuous, four mops of fluffy hair and one pair of sunglasses between them, but their innocent look is quickly traded for a commanding sound. They’re incredibly young artists with plenty to say, led by a powerhouse vocal and crisp supporting harmonies. Lead singer William Train Smith has a fantastically strong voice, able to belt out the long notes of ‘Madeline’ and other less memorable choruses without strain.
‘Undiscovered Colours’, the latest single off their forthcoming EP set for release next month, is undoubtedly Florentenes’ best track to date – a satisfying build that folds in each instrument before erupting into an emotionally explosive final chorus. ‘This where it gets good’ Smith grins to his audience, whilst being teased on stage for being a bad sales rep for the band. It's easy to imagine this song becoming the group’s nostalgic career kickstarter in years to come, though it wobbled in and out of key during yesterday’s performance.
Chemistry between the four is sincere and easy-going, the bones of their act undeniably attention-grabbing. They must now develop their own stage presence and group identity to avoid write-offs as Arctic Monkeys & co. imitations.
“From the cheek-to-cheek grins between bandmates and moments of eye contact shared with those on shoulders and those determined to crowdsurf, it seems even The Kairos were surprised at their full-serve London reception. ”
After a kerfuffle over changing set-ups, it’s Dimitri From Paris’ remix of ‘Lost In Music’ and the obligatory ‘What’s The Story Morning Glory?’ that finally welcomes Liverpudlian four-piece, The Kairos to the stage. Having polished their indie-influenced rock sound since the start of the decade; they’ve landed on a collection of ‘Kneeslappas’ – the title of their newest EP which has taken the band on a headline tour around the UK they’re now approaching the final dates of.
‘Suspend’ is a formidable, high-impact intro – laying out all their wares in one go, and committing to selling them with 100% energy for five minutes non-stop. Tom Dempsey’s Scouse-inflected raspy voice belts to the back of the room from the get-go, gliding over Lewis Chambers’ riffs reverberating through ribcages. With hardly a beat, we punch straight into ‘Thick Of It’ — think an amped up, sped up Oasis-meets-let-me-entertain-you-era-Robbie-Williams, that drummer Sam Bradley and bassist Owen Forrester rip straight through.
And then I stop noting down the ‘highlight songs’, because it’s clear this is going to be the standard for the whole show. That ‘first-impression energy’ doesn’t go anywhere, and it’s not long before it swamps the audience. The crowd aged as it distanced from the stage; with mostly young men and women lining the front rows and manning the mosh pits, moving out to a more static gathering around the room’s edges. ‘Keep it moving in the middle’, Dempsey says, allowing the crowd to enjoy the gig via their preferred method.
“The frontman’s unusual performance style of holding his guitar to the microphone is a photographer’s dream, and a silhouette he adopts throughout; one that will no doubt end up synonymous with ‘that rock band from Liverpool’. ”
So what magic potion is it that gives The Kairos enough energy to power through their entire set like a greyhound out the trap?
Guinness, apparently… or water. ‘Cheers’, Dempsey nods to the crowd, raising a bottle. ‘I’m only on water, but… cheers’. From the cheek-to-cheek grins between bandmates and moments of eye contact shared with those on shoulders and those determined to crowdsurf, it seems even The Kairos were surprised at their full-serve London reception.
The frontman’s unusual performance style of holding his guitar to the microphone is a photographer’s dream, and a silhouette he adopts throughout; one that will no doubt end up synonymous with ‘that rock band from Liverpool’..
The Kairos ignited Hoxton with a cloud of star quality, presenting track after track of refreshed rock, among a wave of bands including Florentenes who are carving out a new era for the genre. The only semblance of pause came in the penultimate ‘Trip Through The Night’. An adoring crowd took over singing duties at max volume, offering the band a moment to recharge, before raising the energy yet again for their electric finale, ‘Punchline Fistfight’. Attracting all kinds of people from across the city, even during a tube strike, yesterday evening proved these bands are onto something… and TOPNOTE’s invested.