The Klaxons – Plymouth White Rabbit – 2nd June 2010 (LIVE REVIEW)
Wednesday, 09 June 2010
Written by Rob Sleigh
It’s always been somewhat curious that certain bands, who have become accustomed to filling huge venues and headlining festivals, occasionally choose to play small clubs for a more intimate show. Why perform in front of hundreds of fans when thousands would be willing to come along? Is it because it provides them with an ideal forum for trying out new material? Or is it merely a charitable offering to the fans that are situated further afield from the usual tour stops? Either way, that is exactly what dance-punk trio the Klaxons have opted to do. Tonight’s gig at the 400-capacity White Rabbit in Plymouth is one of several intimate dates that also include Gloucester, Southend and Colchester.
It’s been over three years since London-based the Klaxons released their multi-award-winning debut album ‘Myths of the Near Future’ and, although the band have been keeping busy in that time, the follow-up has yet to make an appearance. Following last year’s news that their second album had been rejected by the group’s record label, the Klaxons confirmed that they would be working with heavy metal producer Ross Robinson to complete the record successfully. Earlier this year, the band announced that they had finally finished recording the album, with ‘Surfing the Void’ as a possible title.
Despite the long gap in output from the Klaxons, it is clear from tonight’s crowd that they have not been forgotten. The gig is a sell-out and the White Rabbit is rammed wall-to-wall with local fans who are already beginning to show signs of discomfort with the increasing temperature in the relatively small venue. However, the heat is soon forgotten as the trio take to the stage, with touring drummer Steffan Halperin making them a four-piece. A simple “Hello Plymouth” from bassist and frontman Jamie Reynolds receives a surprisingly loud response from the audience as the band take up their instruments.
They kick-off the show with new track ‘Flashover’, which was recently made available on the band’s MySpace page and has since made several appearances on Radio 1. The song, which receives an impressive reception from the Plymouth fans, provides a taster of the new album and possibly a good idea of its direction. The heavy rock guitar sound offers an explanation for the inclusion of Ross Robinson (famed for his work with bands such as Korn and Slipknot) on the album.
Although the Klaxons are now used to playing for audiences that are separated from them by a barrier and a mob of security guards, they appear comfortable in front of tonight’s crowd, who are inches away from them on the low stage. At one point, Reynolds cheerfully informs the fans that they are the rowdiest he has seen. This is unsurprising, considering tonight’s response. The Plymouth crowd bounce, mosh and crowd-surf with a joyful lack of caution that is rarely seen at gigs in today’s health and safety consciousness. It’s a pleasure to watch and the band obviously agree. All four members are smiling throughout, even after Reynolds is hit with someone’s drink during their cover of Grace’s ‘90s dance anthem ‘It’s Not Over Yet’.
As expected, the Klaxons take the opportunity to showcase several new songs. However, it’s the old ones, including hit singles ‘Gravity’s Rainbow’ and ‘Golden Skans’, that get the biggest cheers of the evening. After a brief exit from the stage, the band return to finish the gig with another favourite from ‘Myths of the Near Future’, ‘Atlantis to Interzone’, which receives a resounding roar. With this kind of response, even at a small gig, it is obvious that the new album is bound to be a popular release of 2010. Whenever it finally appears.
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