Almost six years to the day since they last played the venue, The Joy Formidable made a triumphant return to The Lexington to perform to a sold out crowd on Wednesday night. Ritzy, Rhydian and Matt are masters of loud-and-quiet alternative anthems and despite being absent from the London live scene recently, the trio have lost none of their momentum.
Opening their set with the riotous and rarely played ‘Greyhounds In The Slips’, the band tore through the song with impressive precision and energy. ‘I Don’t Want To See You Like This’ followed, before the all-encompassing ‘The Greatest Light Is The Greatest Shade’ took hold, filling the venue with foot-thumping and chants of appreciation. At the close of the song, guitarist & vocalist Ritzy and bassist Rhydian addressed the “familiar faces” in their crowd, and banter about her “mountain troll” clumsiness – as well as drummer Matt’s intake of walnuts and whisky – drew laughs from their loyal fans.
The trio eased into a stellar rendition of ‘Ostrich’, which unlike the recorded version, hosted a calmer intro, reflecting Ritzy’s words about the song’s theme of “moving on and forgiving” people. With their fourth album AAARTHÂ due for release next month, the band then showcased some of their new material, including latest single ‘The Wrong Side’ which rang out with trademark Joy Formidable intensity.
Hitch track ‘This Ladder Is Ours’ thundered through after, before the band briefly left the stage, returning for a knockout encore. Between the blur of ‘Buoy’ – which was given similar treatment to ‘Ostrich’ – and final track ‘Whirring’ the band took time to remind fans that next year marks the tenth anniversary of the release of their debut EP, A Balloon Called Moaning. Ritzy promised the band would be celebrating the occasion with some intimate acoustic shows, then promptly apologised for not playing the acoustic dates she promised last time she was in town, when the band played Oslo in Hackney.
In one final six minute frenzy of riffs and raucous drumming, the band threw themselves and their instruments around the stage during ‘Whirring’, leaving their crowd fired up with the promise of seeing them in town again soon. The Joy Formidable have been on the musical radar for almost a decade, and last night’s performance proved they’ve got another decade’s worth of raw live power in them.
Support came from the wonderful Bryde – who performed with a full band – who TJF heartily praised.
Pre-order your copy of The Joy Formidable’s AAARTH here.
Follow the band on Facebook for more updates.
Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut
Get In Her Ears 
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