July 21 2011 @ Monto Water Rats, London.
Whenever I go to Monto Water Rats, I feel an overwhelming sense of being way too old to be in there, followed by a second wave of nausea associated with younger people ruining the gig for me. Then I shake it off and try to remember that I’m still only 27 and I can ignore the kids, it will be fine…
The support acts were predictable chaff: a total 90s car crash, a wannabe Nirvana, and most confusing, wannabe circa-now Kings of Leon; Mavis. How dull Mavis will become once they discover cocaine and super-models does not bare thinking about.
Finally, after waiting politely for the chaff to disperse, Young Rebel Set started their set with crowd pleasing ‘Lion’s Mouth’ from their album ‘Curse Our Love’. It’s a stomper of a tune, with imperfect lyrics, but could have been improved with a bigger sound behind them as the Monto appeared to be having some serious mic issues.
Imploring the audience to dance, YRS launched into ‘Measure of a Man’. Some reviews have accused YRS into overplaying the ‘gritty working class’ vibe until it becomes pastiche. However, if you’re into ballsy folk, having a damn good dance and your only other half-option is Mumford and Sons then YRS can play the working class card as many times as they like as far as I’m concerned. Gritty Northern passion works well with folk. Steve Lamaq has them pegged in his description of Dexy’s Midnight Runners crossed with Billy Bragg though I think I can get away with describing ‘Wont Get Up Again’ as sounding pretty much like a Van Morrison circa ‘Moondance’ being stalked by a marching band.
The song ‘Red Bricks’ is a wistful and regretful melody of a tragic love affair, with moody millitary drums, and should, when played quietly capture the crowd’s attention. However, debris of the previous band Mavis (including members of the actual band) had such a loose grasp on the concept of manners that they stood static in front of the stage in one wall of twats, talking throughout the set. This ruined the gig for anyone behind them, and frankly for the frustrated band themselves who appeared to cut the set short.
With the venue, the crowd and a band named after an old woman against them, it’s not surprising the Young Rebel Set gig was slightly disappointing, and though I’ll be checking them out again at Bestival, I think I must be too old for the Monto.
Posted by Melissa Higgs
