Athlete - HMV Forum, London - November 20th 2010 (Live Review)
Monday, 06 December 2010
Written by Matthew Williamson
Athlete have never really broken into the heart of the British music scene, though it’s not for the want of trying. 2010 sees their 11th year as a band. The band released the Singles collection back in September, and tonight sees them play all of the CD, plus a few more off their four albums.
The evening begins with ‘solo’ artist Stoney. Although usually a band space has prevented bringing the other members bar a keyboard player. The set’s only 6 songs long but it’s clear that Stoney has the potential to be big. Even with only the two of them technology allows them to layer the parts. As shown perfectly on ‘Let It Go’, off his soon to be released EP. It’s clear that the number of fans who flock to buy merch after the show that he won over new fans, including yours truly.
Alice Gold has been tipped as the ‘next big thing’ (but then again who hasn’t?). She certainly has the looks to capture the male contingent. She blasts through the set, barely stopping for breath. Her sound is hard to place as she changes, although there’s a definite jazz influence to songs like ‘Confessions of Love’. She finishes her set off with ‘Orbiter’. Which is more driven by a powerful bass riff, and what appears to be random guitar effects.
Joel Pott strolls onto the stage carrying a tape player, people don’t seem to fully understand what’s happening until he presses play and suddenly starts playing the band’s debut single ‘You Got The Style’. The crowd help him sing along, although the more up tempo ‘Superhuman Touch’ follows. The hits keep coming with ‘Hurricane’ and ‘Twenty Four Hours’. ‘Beautiful’, another song from the debut is slightly less energetic but it gives the crowd a chance to almost drown out Pott, which they try their hardest to do, which is similar to ‘El Salvador’, “can’t quite put my finger on it!” shouts the crowd.
The driving beat of ‘Tokyo’ is completely different, the driving bass pedal is relentless, the band put so much energy in, running about the stage. ‘Tourist’ is soft, but like many Athlete song slowly builds from just a guitar. “Just wanna be with you, my baby!” sings… everybody. The atmosphere is brilliant. The slightly odd chorus of ‘The Outsiders’ doesn’t deter the crowd before ‘Wires’ brings a cacophony of noise. It’s deafening as the band vacate the stage.
As Pott takes the stage, again by himself, he tells the crowd that their manager has crowned the show the “best London show we’ve ever played.” Which is rewarded by ‘Vehicles & Animals’, dedicated to his wife, it’s absolutely gorgeous in the packed venue, which still feels so intimate. The band rejoin for ‘The Getaway’, ‘Half Light’ and, finally, ‘Chances’, soon to become massive via Westlife. “It’s all about you.” Sings the hall, it’s hair raising. As the band file off stage again the audience clamour around the front, trying to catch setlists, pics, one girl even getting Pott’s towel. The passion and emotion in the songs transfers perfectly to the live show, and it’s what makes Athlete so great, and it’s why you should get out and see them when you have a chance.
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Alice Gold has been tipped as the ‘next big thing’ (but then again who hasn’t?). She certainly has the looks to capture the male contingent. She blasts through the set, barely stopping for breath. Her sound is hard to place as she changes, although there’s a definite jazz influence to songs like ‘Confessions of Love’. She finishes her set off with ‘Orbiter’. Which is more driven by a powerful bass riff, and what appears to be random guitar effects.
