Band: Scholars
Support Band: Trails, Coastline
Venue: Camden Barfly, London
Date: 10th April 2013
Tonight is a very special night for Scholars. After many long years in the making, an impressive and relentless debut album for ‘Always Lead, Never Follow‘, finally gets it live premiere tonight at the Camden Barfly to a more than passionate and enthusiastic audience for the official album launch party.
Upon arrival (shortly before Everything I‘s set finishes… sorry dudes!), we learn that Moose Blood have rather disappointingly pulled out of tonight’s proceedings right at the last minute, for reasons that are still unknown and yet to be explained. However, local alternative rock group Trails filled in for them like superheroes at the last minute and avert a minor disaster.
So with the lineup slightly changed, both Trails and Coastline both provide some gentle yet anthemic alternative rock that provides for a mellow yet soothing start to the night. Only thing that did however spoil their sets was the over-indulgence of low end frequencies in the live mix, as well as a kick drum which was way too high in the mix, making you feel like you are skipping a heart beat. Regardless, this was a sweet start to the night. Then all of a sudden, things get lively. Enter monsieurs Scholars.
Arriving to a rapturous reception from a packed out crowd at the Barfly, the sound of Charlie Chaplin’s A Message For Mankind Monologue introduces the band to the stage one by one. Vocalist Sam Nicholls leaps on to the stage finally, and they kick in to a frenetic version of ‘Hydrochaesin’ which instantaneously gets many dancing like mad. It is only when the song ‘Bad For Business’ starts that the real energy begins to get out of hand. The crowd gradually become a frenzy of flying bodies, jumping about, and eventually stage diving fun-fuelled mayhem.
Bar one song, most of the new album is played in its entirety, as well as old fan favourites such as ‘Tornadoes’ and ‘Show Some Enthusiasm’, this is a highly charged set full of fun, charm, positive vibes, and just plain old fashioned cool without the pretence of trying to be cool. The crowd / band relationship tonight is simply nothing short of magical.
What Scholars have achieved tonight is proving that they are one of the most important UK bands that not just require, but DEMAND your attention. Tonight was the night that Scholars just stepped it up a notch, and are now on to the next level to show the world what they are made of. On what is arguably the most important night in Scholars career, those here in attendance just witnessed the ascension of one of the brightest new stars in UK rock music today. Ladies and gentlemen, if ever you had any doubts about the future of UK rock music, look no further and believe in Scholars.
9/10
Reviewer: James Paul Matthews
Photographer: Andrew James Pepin (C)
