Music / alvvays
Review: Alvvays, Thekla
Alvvays’ eponymous debut was released last summer and was one of the year’s gems, no doubt. Flawless from start to finish, fans have been gagging for a UK headline tour since then, and tonight did not disappoint. As is to be expected by any new band playing the venue, Alvvays were stoked to play aboard Thekla. So stoked, they wrote an impromptu song about it.
Excitement flooded the crowd as the band’s appearance loomed, the scruffy Alvvays banner onstage contrasting somewhat with the intense bagpipes booming from the speakers. As they launched straight into their ridiculously lovable, dark-but-optimistic, reverb-drenched indie-pop jams, fans were ecstatic. Next Of Kin, the first single to be played, had everyone bopping to its pleasant, jangly melody and singing along to the bizarrely-worded but brilliant chorus.
After playing their way through anthemic and eloquent Archie, Marry Me and hooky Atop a Cake, the band used their light-hearted stage chat to appreciate the lack of barriers in the venue. They spoke of a previous tour with tame-sounding Real Estate, where huge barriers were installed unnecessarily. One member of the crowd teasingly yelled out “You’ll find out why!” and singer Molly Rankin laughed, retorting with “I’ll fucking kill you!” in a joke bad-guy voice that left everyone giggling.
The band were everything you would want from a live indie ensemble: chirpy and chatty without trying too hard (I’m looking at you, Catfish and the Bottlemen) with perfect songs and perfect sound. And not to mention the looks – enough floppy fringes, bleach, specs and stripes to go around. Rankin’s voice is flawless and effortlessly beautiful as the band play their way through the never-ending feelgood tunes from their debut. Following the affecting Party Police and energetic Adult Diversion with its euphoric ending, the encore was an unexpected cherry atop the cake – leaving the crowd in justified awe.
Alvvays played the Thekla on Saturday, January 31. For upcoming Thekla line-ups, visit www.theklabristol.co.uk
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