The first time I heard of Long Distance Calling, I was booking myself a ticket to see Maybeshewillat Camden’s Barfly on 3rd of March 2011. I am a self-proclaimed Maybeshewill fangirl and I have to thank them for introducing me to some great bands - that night Long Distance Calling made a huge impact. What stood out was a simple fact that I couldn't remember a band that would have so much genuine fun on stage. There was this irresistible, contagious chemistry between the guys and I absolutely loved how humbled they were by the great reception from the crowd. Since then I had them on my radar and was thrilled to see them return to Camden, this time to The Underworld, to promote their new release The Flood Inside.
This was truly maybe not a ‘once in a lifetime’ experience (for I hope to repeat it again), but definitely a first - not only was I getting in with a press pass, it was also a photo pass! What’s more, in most venues photographers get the front row. The Underworld gives them a tiny section on the side of the stage, meaning that sooner than I knew it I had Florian, one of the guitarists, poking his tongue directly at my lens - that’s gig photography gold. I also got so close to the drummer that I finally understood the necessity of earplugs. My reception was definitely detached from the crowd’s, but I could see how captivated they were. Despite the change in line up - the chemistry remained as I remembered it. I had 5 guys in front of me who were truly rocking it with huge smiles on their faces. Knowing this was the last but one gig on their tour - you’d never tell they were tired.
Long Distance Calling opened to ‘Waves’, my favourite from the album, and entered the stage sunk in blue light. The opening sample filled the room and once the guitars started, everyone did that particular shake of their head that you do when you hear music that is simply good… The aforementioned change in line up and having Marsen Fisher on electronics and vocals meant that the tour was a celebration of a new chapter in Long Distance Calling’s career - it wasn't surprising then that they focused on the new material. And we didn't have to wait long to hear Marsen sing live - ‘Inside The Flood’ followed and proved that him and his vocal organically belong in the band. Under the stage the audience was hypnotised. My photographer’s eye soon spotted a girl who spent the entire gig resting on Florian’s monitor, staring at the stage with a mixture of desire and admiration.
What made the gig an amazing experience was the fact that you could tell that those guys just love music and love making it together. They interact. Every band member had a one-on-one with the others - whether it was Jan, the bassist, with the drummer, or David, the other guitarist, with Marsen. They laugh, they smile, they synchronically rock out, which just proves that the band is not just a band - it’s a fully functioning organism. The highlight of the evening was the moment when Marsen, who was hidden behind his electronics for majority of the time, came out and joined the guitarists for ‘Tell The End’. To see all four of them at the front of the stage, all full of passion and happy to be there, truly signified an end of one era and the beginning of another.
Watching musicians have a great time together and in the meantime play some amazing tunes - like my second favourite from the album, ‘Ductus’ - that’s what made the evening truly unforgettable. That and being so close to them I could just smile back and feel like we’re hanging out. I remember going to see some of my favourite bands, listening to the music I love but feeling like I could've just stayed at home with my headphones on turned up extra loud. With Long Distance Calling you get reminded why it’s really worth to go and see bands play live. I got that feeling the first time I saw them and after this show I know I will become their London stalker, always in the front row.
See Magda's gallery with a selection of her photos here.
Thanks to Freddy Palmer at Superball Music for organising the photo pass for us.
