22 April 2016 (gig)
27 April 2016
Perhaps its better to start this review at the end as the encore is quite simply the best I have ever witnessed.
LetLive. stumble out to play the first half of Pheromone Cvlt with only Jeff Sahyoun on guitar. Vocalist, Jason Aalon Butler, promptly stops singing as the crowd overwhelms him. His adorable face gawping out into the UK crowd as they sing every line, word for word, whilst he chokes back tears.
This band has worked hard to establish themselves as the post-hardcore political mal-contents who give a loved yet slightly overworked genre much gumption. Now, however, they are dubbing themselves Soul-Punks. And you cannot deny how ruddy soulful they are.
As I’m sure most people who listen to alt-music, most of the time you feel you are required to defend your musical preference to the curious.
LetLive. have formed the basis of my “my music means more than yours” argument for some years.
With pride I’ll list off the issues they cover: astute modern observations of a subversive American feeling of racial prejudice, modern feminism and abusive war-mongering commercialism. It certainly helps that they wrap this all up in an incredible, unique sound-package that touches the sides of influencers such as Glassjaw/La Dispute/ At The Drive-In.
Their latest single does not shy away from this identity. It’s theme is heavily aligned with the #blacklivesmatter movement, and brings much needed attention to the police discrimination and brutality experienced stateside. Good Mourning America had only been out for two weeks at time of review, and seemingly the population of the Dome at Tufnell Park knew every word.
To boot, the entire band are some of the most gracious I’ve ever witnessed with stage divers, taking time to hug and sing and smile with each super fan that is clearly moved by them.
Practically every song is delivered as crushing and note perfect. And as you’d hope, the tracks are hungrier and clawing when witnessed live.
They are so thankful that people are listening, and that the UK are here to listen so intently. They close off with Lemon Party and Renegade’86 and are ecstatic with how well they are received.
The Dome is the perfect venue for them, bringing this charming band so close to their adoring fans.
If you ever get the chance to see them, do. And stick around for the encore. You won’t regret it.
