Glass Caves Deliver Beyond Expectations In London
Published
For those of you that regularly read Subba-Cultcha, you may recall I recently reviewed the debut album from Glass Caves, Alive. If not you can read the review by clicking here. With the context of the review in mind I was pretty buzzed to have been invited down to see the chaps play the Buffalo Bar in Islington.
The Buffalo Bar is an incredibly intimate venue. Upon walking down the stairs there’s a feeling of historical significance as the bar has played host to some of the biggest bands of bygone eras. I was hoping tonight was no different.
Upon arrival I was introduced to the band (thanks to Sam from Tri-Tone) and was feeling a little nervous. I’ve been listening to Alive pretty frequently over the past couple of weeks (I’m playing this down as I don’t want to appear like a stalker!) and still get excited by every play. So I was hoping that if I met Matt, Elliot, Will and Connor I wouldn’t freak them out with my over enthusiastic adoration of their album.
Whatever panicked thoughts they might have had following my approach were put to one side as they were incredibly funny, down to earth and approachable, making sure that everyone who’d made it down the gig was thanked and spoken to. True gents.
So as the time quickly approached for the band to launch into their set, a number of thoughts raced into my head. Was the live set going to be on par with the standard of the album? Was the intimacy of the venue going to be an issue? How was the audience going to react to the guys and their music?
So many questions… so here I go.
The live set takes their songs to another level, which I truly didn’t think was possible (I may have even mentioned this to the guys before the gig, ridiculous I know!). The energy and electricity that emanated from the small stage was ferocious, like a wave washing over the crowd, refreshing and invigorating.
The guys have spent many an hour busking and although there is no doubt in my mind they’re on their way to much bigger things, the hours playing on the streets have paid off as the four-piece’s performance is tight… I mean really tight.
As for the intimacy of the venue, this worked perfectly in their favour. Matt’s rapport with the crowd was brilliant. Cheeky, quick witted one liners and a want to involve and engage the audience. They certainly didn’t seem like they’ve just launched their debut, it was more like they’d been touring for years and had the nous to be able to engage in banter to get the crowd going.
And this brings me onto the audience reaction. Not only did their single “Go” get everyone going but the crowd’s reaction to the small space, great sound and group’s charisma made for a simply stunning show.
One thing that does puzzle me (and it’s not restricted to this gig) is why bands leave their hit single or the tune that’s been most well received to the end of the set? Surely starting with this gets the audience (and band) in the zone and they become far more receptive to the rest of the set, allowing for the introduction of lesser known tracks or even new material?
Alive opens with “Go”, it sets the tone of the album and it’s simply genius. It sounds equally if not more impressive live and the crowd went nuts. I was left pondering what would have happened if they’d played it at the beginning of the set?
All in all the set was phenomenal, but I do want to go back to a point I made earlier. I’ve been to many gigs recently (part and parcel of the job - hard life right!) and it still amazes me that bands can take audiences for granted. By that I mean they can rock up on stage, perform a set list and head off, maybe returning for the expected encore.
It’s so encouraging to see and meet bands that put the extra effort in. Taking photos with the attendees, staying round to chat afterwards and just being thankful that the paying public have come down to see them.
Well done Glass Caves, you nailed it!
Words by Mark Jennings