Slow Club

From the first time I heard "Everything Is New" on the Guy Garvey show on 6 Music, I knew I wanted to see Slow Club play as soon as possible.

So when the Songkick alert came out, I was ready - but there were no London gigs! That wasn't so bad - I can get from Uxbridge to Brighton by car in roughly the same time as if using the tube to get to a central London venue, so I booked my tickets and counted the days.

Luckily when it came to gig night, I discovered mutual friends were going too, so we met up before the gig and went together.

I've been to a couple of Brighton venues before, but not the Studio at the Dome. It's quite small, but probably just right for Slow Club - for now!

Based on the excitement in the room and on stage, I'd lay short odds that it won't be long before Slow Club will be booking larger venues.

Their set list is short, but not on quality - from "Tears" as a kick-off, right through to the in-the-round a capella rendition of "Pieces" as the finale, Slow Club had us all in the palm of their hands, even when "Everything Is New" had a false start when the microphone slipped.

The obvious on-stage happiness and brio from a band clearly delighted to be hitting their stride was infectious and the room was really vibrant throughout, with that last song reward really setting the seal on an excellent night out.

The journey back to Uxbridge felt very short and well worth the effort too.

Splendid stuff.

Pop bands tend to feel the need to develop more acutely than most musicians, so after they’d released their debut full-length, Yeah So, in 2009, Slow Club were faced with a pretty clear choice - continue peddling twee-pop and count on the support of a small, but fiercely protective fanbase, or move forwards, at the risk of alienating some supporters but with the possibility of earning new ones. They opted for the latter, first turning out the fabulously diverse Paradise in 2011, and following it three years later with Complete Surrender, a gorgeously glossy paean to sixties pop and Motown. Their live show has been dragged kicking and screaming along with the new direction, too; they’ve expanded to a four-piece, with the most recent lineup featuring former Guillemots man Fyfe Dangerfield on bass. Rebecca Taylor now takes centre stage - quite literally - and it’s her sheer versatility that’s key to the band’s love show; both instrumentally - she flits between guitar and drums - and vocally, allowing her to switch from ballad to bombast at a moment’s notice. There’s still a little bit of room for guitar-and-harmonies Slow Club of old - especially when the Sheffield duo play their now-legendary Christmas shows - but for the most part, they’re forging ahead pretty relentlessly.

As soon as I heard word late last year that Slow Club were releasing a new album, my excitement was picqued. I bloody love Slow Club, and getting to hear some of the new songs live in the lead up to the album release was exciting, too -- but the album release party at the 100 Club on July 14th was pretty freaking amazing. Rebecca and Charles (and their band) always look like they're having a ruddy good time up on stage. Not just enjoying playing -- but genuinely enjoying one another's company, and the songs they're singing -- but most importantly, their connection with the crowd.
They played a variety of songs old and new, all to an audience enraptured with their mere existence - myself included. The new album, flawless too - both in its differences and its similarities to their older stuff - immaculately played on stage, from the quiet moments to the loud ones.
The 100 Club is a brilliant venue too, slightly odd in its layout and with the vague feeling that you're in a social club - but it was the perfect stage for Rebecca and Charles "Wedding-day-come-album-release-party" on a warm evening in July 2014.

The venue and settting was great. Slow Club were incredible; they did a range of songs and the encore consisted of some( most) of their 2008 Christmas album which was incredible. They were a pleasure to watch and were not afraid to get down off stage and perform the last song within the small crowd of people. Truly amazing performance!

Slow Club are AMAZING! Althrough it would be slightly better if they have a drummer with them, but still they are rocking without one, Rebecca's voice is to die for. To top it of, Annie Hart and Salt Carthedral were so mesmerizing I have to look them up and without disappointment I eventually became fans.

I've seen some great bands over the years, but last night is right up there as one of the best, great vocals!!! Could watch them every night... top that off with the small venue, let's you get up close and personal,

Saw Slow Club at Newcastle 02 academy couple of years ago supporting Paul Heaton,we hope they come back to North East would definitely go to see again,we had never heard of before but you live and learn.