The psychedelic spirit of the sixties lives on in Temples

Sometimes you just wonder where to start. Do we begin with the hype? Is it justified? Should we take a view of waiting to be convinced? Or should we just enjoy a great young band for what they are?

Temples - Shepherds Bush Empire, London - 8th March 2014

...With Temples there’s so many boxes ticked before we even begin, finding that starting point is tricky. Shepherd’s Bush Empire is heaving, the show is sold out and the sheer volume of people cramped in is slightly smothering, but at the same time quite edifying too...good music
can break through. The album may have landed at number seven, but it’s hardly like anyone here now gives that two hoots, it’s all about the psychedelia flowing from the amps on stage. As ‘Colours To Life’ opens the set, its crazily infectious chorus ratcheting up the already anticipatory, crackling atmosphere, so Temples begin to grow into their set. Album title track ‘Sun Structures’ and ‘A Question Isn’t Answered’ follow, before James Bagshaw decides to “get this place moving” and Temples launch into the bouncy ‘Ankh’. The set is fairly short tonight, but it’s just long enough, the songs flow seamlessly together, the three part vocal harmonies being particularly impressive. It’s set closer ‘Shelter Song’ which really ignites the crowd, the picked notes of the intro creating an unlikely mosh pit  The customary walk off stage follows before an extended version of current single ‘Mesmerise’ rounds off a tremendously entertaining gig. Temples seem bound for a long, fruitful and glittering career. They’ve got the lot – looks, attitude and most importantly
songs. They can deliver live or on record, and justify every second of the hype. The swinging 1960s may have ended some five decades ago, but the spirit of that revolutionary time is still very much alive and well. 9/10 http://templestheband.com/ With thanks to Rhian at Big Mouth.  

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