HISTORIA

Seen: Cajun Dance Party, Good Shoes, Loverman, 15 January 2009 @ Astoria 2

In its thirty year history Astoria has become one of London’s most prominent venues. Hosting the worlds biggest bands from U2 and Nirvana to upcoming bands in its smaller sister venue Astoria 2. However over the last couple of years plans to construct a railway station, which connects the centre of London to the east and west, have put Astoria’s future in uncertain hands. Sadly the ultimate decision to tear down Astoria has since been made.

To celebrate the last night at Astoria a final gig was organised on 15 January. Besides various DJ sets from the likes of Lightspeed Champion, Mystery Jets, Frederick Blood Royale and many others Loverman had the honour to kick off what would be one of the last gigs at Astoria ever. Their dark hardcore punk music sounds promising to say the least. Whilst the drums fracture your skull, the emphatic screams fix to your throat like pieces of broken glass. The vigorous ergo energetic performance by the front man got a fair share of the crowd going berserk, all the signs of an amazing night, that had yet to be fully unrolled.

The hype machine that is Cajun Dance Party released their first full-length release “The Colourful Life” on major label XL Recordings. With another release planned for 2009 everything seems to go well for these teenagers. However, their live performances, although well prepared, lack the natural energy and enthusiasm you would expect from such a promising band. The unnecessary dramatic and pitiful approach by front man Daniel Blumberg plainly doesn’t work. Neither does the total lack of unity within the band’s style (jumpers, leather jackets, dresses, make up, boots, sneakers, beards etc.) add to their arsenal of wise before their years pop songs. To some these factors might come across as utterly irrelevant, however, these are the predominant factors that distinguish the average drama high school performance from a proper gig.

London’s Good Shoes had the privilege to play the last gig in Astoria’s bright history. Unlike the middle of the road performance by Cajun Dance Party Good Shoes were bound to end the night with a cracker from the advent of their set in the tiny bar overlooking the main stage. Front man Rhys words “If you vandalise it, it isn't going to matter because it is going to be fucking knocked down anyway.” were wisely followed by the crowd as Good Shoes kicked off with old favourite Photos. The eloquent mixture of old and new songs made me eager for the much-anticipated follow up to debut album Think Before You Speak. By ending the set with crowd favourite Morden resulting in a total mayhem of limbs, guitars, glasses and sweat Astoria was given its the last worthy push.

CAJUN DANCE PARTY: listen
GOOD SHOES: listen
LOVERMAN: listen