Music / Review
Review: Metronomy, O2 Academy – ‘They certainly know how to whip a crowd up into a puddle of joy, sweat and smiles’
Just in case anyone had forgotten during the last two years, Metronomy, one of the UK’s most enduring purveyors of wonky, offbeat and brilliant pop-rock, certainly know how to whip a crowd up into a puddle of joy, sweat and smiles. Even though their music continues to shapeshift with each album release, tonight’s gig at Bristol’s O2 Academy proved that some things will never change.
Metronomy are currently touring the UK supporting their seventh album Small World; a grown-up, guitar-centric (some may say more pedestrian) diversion from 2019’s beat-driven, far-ranging Metronomy Forever. But tonight’s set offers up something for everyone, with tracks spanning the entirety of their two-decade-long career.
After an impressively tight yet raw warm-up set from south London post-punkers Goat Girl, Metronomy show their innate confidence by jumping in headfirst with their latest single Love Factory closely followed by two of their most loved tracks, The Bay and Corinne. It is evident they relish being back on stage and their obvious musical mastery has not dulled whilst they have been away. Frontman Joseph Mount exudes effortless cool and is very much in control of the stage at the same time as allowing the rest of the band to shine. Alongside Anna’s tight percussion centre-stage, bassist Olugbenga Adelekan, Oscar Cash and Michael Lovett’s faultless prowess and personalities are on constant display.
is needed now More than ever
The only weak point of the set was Everything Goes My Way, from 2011’s critically acclaimed The English Riviera, where usually drummer Anna Prior’s poised vocals lift the track to new heights, but sadly they are drowned out by guitars and keys tonight. But this feels like nitpicking to be honest, as the rest of the gig is pretty much faultless. Highlights include joyous, vivid and layered renderings of The Look and Radio Ladio, Mount’s transformation of The Upsetter into a raw, heartbreaking acoustic ballad and an absolutely nuts club-worthy melding of instrumental tracks Boy Racers and End of You Too.
Metronomy show their innate confidence by jumping in headfirst with their latest single. Credit: Tracy Vincent
A quick look around at the diverse crowd tonight confirmed that Metronomy’s offering in Bristol deserves five stars. Middle-aged musos moved their feet and smiled, strapping young lads sang harmonies and wiped tears off their cheeks and the foot-stamping for an encore was deafening. The encore deserves a special mention too; banging renditions of Old Skool and Love Letters segued seamlessly into their first single You Could Easily Have Me, which was transformed into a guitar-shredding wall of sound any thrash metal band would be proud to put their name to.
As a long-time Metronomy devotee, I wasn’t expecting to leave disappointed tonight, but nor was I expecting to leave completely blown away. It’s obvious that even with seven albums under their belt they’ve still got plenty more surprises and unexpected aural diversions to unleash on the world.
Main photo: Tracy Vincent
Listen to the latest Bristol24/7 Behind the Headlines podcast:
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
