LIVE: Katie Malco – The Lexington, London 25.11.22

“I was going to wear a wedding dress, but I thought that would only be funny for about two minutes” joked Katie Malco to her sold out crowd at The Lexington last Friday night. Comparing her headline show to the nuptials she said she was unlikely to have, the Northampton songwriter delivered passionate renditions of her indie-folk anthems alongside interjections of wry humour – her denim jacket and its leather tassels proving to be a better choice of garment than a white dress anyway.

In contrast to the overcrowded bar downstairs full of World Cup fans, Malco’s audience were the perfect mix of “quiet and energetic” as she acknowledged towards the end of her set. It’s easy to be attentive when someone’s voice is so captivating – her clear vocals and poignant lyrics cutting through at all the right moments. Playing songs from her debut album, Failures, which she described as a mixture of “cock rock and sad ballads” – aka “salads” – Malco opened with the anthemic ‘Animals’, setting the bar high for the rest of her performance.

Despite having to “talk shop” about a few tech problems between songs, Malco and her band played together effortlessly and undeterred by their monitor issues. Usually accustomed to performing alone, the songwriter clearly enjoyed having the backing of a full band to enhance the impact of songs like ‘Let’s Go To War’, ‘September’, ‘TW’ and ‘Brooklyn’. Her “salads” were equally as impressive though, with gentler tracks ‘Night Avenger’ and the tender ‘Peckham’ proving to be real set highlights. She even provided an early festive treat with a solo rendition of ‘Be Good At Xmas’ too.

With a sold out London gig marking the end of her recent UK tour, Malco playfully asked “does this mean I’m a big deal now?” and after that set, we genuinely think she might be.

Follow Katie Malco on bandcamp, Spotify, Twitter, Facebook & Instagram

Photo Credit: Robin Hardman

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Get In Her Ears Live @ Sebright Arms w/ Breakup Haircut, 17.11.2022

Following our super special September gig with Jemma Freeman and the Cosmic Something headlining, our November instalment of GIHE live saw us return to the Sebright Arms in Bethnal Green for a night filled with the best music, best people and best vibes. Massive thanks to Breakup Haircut, Piney Gir and BCOS RSNS, and to everyone who came down to support the bands and help us raise money for completely vital organisation, Mermaids.

First up, exciting new band BCOS RSNS treat us to their scuzzy garage-rock offerings, reflecting on themes ranging from people being dicks and internet crushes, to being yourself in a patriarchal society.


Next up, Piney Gir delivers her magical indie-pop dreamscapes with a swirling psychedelic haze and sunny, lilting energy. Oozing a majestic witchy allure, she completely immerses the crowd in her sparkling, uplifting majesty.


Back to headline for us after supporting Fräulein in January, Breakup Haircut treat us to 45 minutes of their joyous, tongue-in-cheek brand of pop-punk. Exuding a vibrant energy, they deliver their fizzing, danceable offerings with an infectious wit and colourful charisma. As I sing along to every word, I know for sure that I’m in the presence of a band on the rise.

Massive thanks to the three bands who played for us on Thursday! We’ll be back next month for not one, but two, special gigs! On 1st December we’ll be at Shacklewell Arms hosting Currls‘ EP launch with support from Collars and Hypsoline – tickets here. And on 9th December we’ll be back at the Shacklewell Arms again with Bad Sidekick and support from Alien Chicks and Cosmic Ninja – tickets here.

Words: Mari Lane / @marimindles
Photos: Don Blandford / @snapperchap.don

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Track Of The Day: Dronningen – ‘Superstardom’

London-based Italians, Beatrice Bonnano (vocals/guitar) and Vito Cerasia (lead guitar), formed Dronningen (meaning Queen in Norwegian) in 2014 and have been gigging on the London scene for a number of years. They’ve released three EPs thus far and in a live setting originally possessed a grunge-inspired rock vibe with pop undertones. Having re-jigged their band line-up they have metamorphosed into an electro-tinged rock beast – their live set-up now streamlined to a three-piece with beloved session drummer, Alberto Voglino. 

Their new single takes off like a rocket, as per the opening line, and is a super-charged anthem of drone attack buzzy guitars and synth bass rhythms the size of a cruise liner. ‘Superstardom’ kicks up a gear as the kaleidoscopic chorus bursts into the room, riding high on a bed of warm layered vocals. This lot aren’t taking any prisoners. Is this rock, pop or dance music? Who cares when it sounds this fresh!  

Discussing their new single, the band explain: “‘Superstardom’ is a song about fighting self-sabotage… It’s about reaching a flourishing state after working towards fulfilling your goals, without inhibitions. We feel this song is highly relatable to many in a society where you’re made to feel like you’re never good enough. Ultimately, our message is this: just focus on doing your thing and do it well for yourself, filter out all the background noise and pressure”.

Starved of performing live during lockdown, the band were afforded a moment of clarity and space to invest in creativity. They took to writing new material and Vito grappled with self-teaching himself video production, which bore fruit in the shape of the technical wizardry that is the music clip for January’s ‘Theatrical Love’ single. 

On the recent Italian election win of Giorgia Meloni’s far-right Brothers of Italy party, Beatrice and Vito voice their concern: “We hope that the victory of politicians who won the general election by stoking hatred and using inflammatory rhetoric will not be interpreted by some as a free pass to attack minorities or whoever they think is the enemy. There can be no going back over hard-won rights, such as abortion, same-sex unions and basic support for asylum seekers. Nobody wants to live in a Margaret Atwood novel. We deeply love our home country so we hope for the best.” 

Speaking of subjects which the band have far more control over, they confide: “Our plan for next year is releasing more music, more live shows and, most importantly, we have a debut album on the horizon”. As the band say: “Your life is now. Your time to thrive is now”.


Dronningen will be headlining The Victoria in Dalston, London on Saturday, 12th November – free tickets are available on Dice. Hear more from Dronningen on their Bandcamp page.

Mandy Bang
@mandybang

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LIVE: Alvvays @ Islington Assembly Hall, 07.10.22

A rainy Friday night in North London and what better way to soothe our dampened spirits than with some shimmering surf-pop sounds…

Thankfully, we arrive at the springy-floored Islington Assembly Hall in time to catch support act Lande Hekt. Though you may know her from her band Muncie Girls, her debut solo album, Going To Hell, was one of my favourites of last year and live, her songs are no less special. Starting off with a few captivating solo offerings, Hekt treats us to beautifully heartfelt songs covering themes ranging from the struggles of coming out, to comforting times with her cat Lola. With a lilting musicality and stirring, luscious vocals, she kicks off our evening with a collection of shimmering soundscapes, all delivered with a raw emotion.

Having been a huge fan of Canadian band Alvvays since falling in love with their self-titled debut album upon its release in 2014, I’m not quite sure why I’ve not yet seen them live, and so it’s with an apprehensive excitement that I await their arrival to the stage – that feeling of having waited so long for something, that you can’t help but worry that it won’t live up to your high expectations…

However, I’m soon to be proved wrong as Molly Rankin and co. take to the stage amidst a sea of adoring cheers filling the packed out venue (it’s the most busy I’ve ever experienced it and I’m a little miffed about being stuck behind one of the tallest people I’ve ever seen, but I’ll try not to dwell on that…). As they kick off the set with the dreamy musicality of second album Antisocialites‘ opening track ‘In Undertow’, I’m instantly immersed in the sparkling splendour of Alvvays’ trademark swirling surf-pop energy. And I feel very lucky to witness the band’s shiny new line-up (with the addition Sheridan Riley and Abbey Blackwell now forming the seamless rhythm section) first hand.

Introducing themselves, Rankin oozes an infectious sense of excitement as she tells us that today is the day of release for their brand new album, Blue Rev, and informs us that the set will consist of some newer songs from the record, as well as “some oldies – gotta include those crowd pleasers too!” before diving into one of said new tracks, ‘Very Online Guy’. With a more synth-driven sound than previous offerings, it fizzes with a whirring energy alongside Rankin’s rippling crystalline vocals.


And from new to old as the band flow smoothly into the first track from their 2014 debut, ‘Adult Diversion’. Propelled by lilting hooks and a buoyant, uplifting energy, the large crowd sway along with a joyous sense of unity to Rankin’s luscious vocal tones, as the raw power of Riley’s thrashing beats shines through. Twinkling with a whimsical allure, ‘Plimsoll Punks’ proves to be another crowd favourite before perhaps the band’s most famous song ‘Archie Marry Me’ sees each and every one of us sing along to each and every word, and I find myself getting quite emotional; the track’s dreamy grace and twinkling romanticism holding a special place in my heart (it was even featured on my wedding playlist), and – despite not being able to see the stage – live, it is every bit as beautiful as I could have hoped for.

Interspersed between the shimmering musical offerings, Rankin interacts with the crowd, oozing an endearing charm – apologising for her lack of vocal strength which is feeling strained as they come to the end of their tour, and receiving mixed reactions as she shares that she was going to wear an Arsenal jersey to the show. However, despite her apologies, her vocals glisten with a soaring majesty throughout truly captivating renditions of ‘Dreams Tonite’ and ‘Party Police’ to draw the set to a close.

After we cautiously make our way to the back of the room, Alvvays return to the stage for a very welcome encore of old favourites. After the sparkling emotion of ‘Atop A Cake’ shimmers with a scintillating allure, the band offer the final track of the night, another one from their debut album, ‘Next Of Kin’ – a perfectly euphoric way to end what has been a blissfully exquisite experience (and it seems my apprehension of being disappointed was totally unfounded).

Mari Lane
@marimindles

Photo Credit: Eleanor Petry

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