Band: Canterbury
Venue: The Hospital Club
Date: 13/01/2014
The 13th January marked the first live show of 2014 for me and the release of Canterbury’s third album ‘Dark Days’. I had always likes Canterbury (How can you not?!) bopping my head along whenever they played, joined in on the ‘Na Na Na’s’ on ‘Friends? We’re More Like A Gang’. But tonight is the first time I can truly say that I am a proper fan!
‘Dark Days’ had sat in my inbox for weeks begging to be listened to, but in all honesty I am glad that I went into tonight blind. The concept of a band playing a brand new album from start to finish is one not enough bands are brave enough to do. A whole set where the majority of the crowd didn’t really know many tracks (Especially as release day was the same day!) But from the opening of ‘Expensive Imitation’ through to the beautiful acoustics of ‘By The Trial’ (a personal favourite of mine!) to the beats of ‘Elephant’ and right through to the pop-esque backing of final track ‘See The Sun’. Me along with everyone else here are hooked!
Luke Prebble and James Pipe’s voices are poles apart but work so well together and with very breath and every perfectly constructed note it’s clear ‘Dark Days’ marks something very special in the world of Canterbury. ‘Heavy In The Day’ may have spawned such favorites as ‘Gloria’ and ‘Saviour’ but ‘Dark Days’ showcases an album of versatility and ultimate brilliance.
The first thing I wanted to do after the show was blast out the album: a sign of a great show. Well done Canterbury on an immaculate show and an incredible album.
9/10
Review by: Rhian Westbury
