Bicycle Thieves
The Chapman Family
We Are Scientists
Venue: Camden Barfly
Show Date: Sunday 21st February 2010

Thanks to Songkick, I heard that We Are Scientists were rumoured to be the surprise guests at a Barfly gig as part of the NME Shockwaves Tour. The rumours were true and the show was brilliant.

The Chapman family were the official headline act with support from Bicycle Thieves (and another band we missed). Bicycle Thieves were good but it felt like we were watching them through one-way glass. Aside from mumbling, “We’re Bicycle Thieves” at the start, they didn’t interact with the crowd at all. It’s a pity because their songs deserve more than that.

I previewed The Chapman Family on Spotify earlier in the weekend and the songs made me apprehensive about the show but they certainly sounded better live. My lazy description would be, “White Lies with a lot more noise”. The noise was immense, plenty of distortion that would jump out and bitchslap you when you least expect it. The band seems to take their art very seriously, with the vocalist turning his mic cable against himself in an act of auto-asphyxiation during their final song. It was a bit surreal but I think I’ve out-grown that kind of musical darkness.

The not-so-secret headliners seemed very out of place in this line-up of generally depressing music – I don’t say depressing as a criticism, but rather a style or genre. So the crowd was fairly glum by the time We Are Scientists took to the stage. It was such a great contrast to be treated to some energetic sing-along songs broken up by hilarious stage banter. It was great to see the band in such an intimate venue. I even managed to get a few photos by shooting over people’s heads or squeezing in between those kind enough to let me.