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Review & Photos: Savages at Electrowerkz, London [Live]

11th October, Electrowerkz, London

by cfaruolo, October 16th, 2012 and has been Read 920 times.
Last Edited by: Chris MUG5 Maguire October 16th, 2012.

With only one double A side 7'' with two overwhelming singles released so far (and even before playing one of them on Jools Holland), our favorite post-punk quartet Savages managed to sell out two nights in a row at Islington's Electrowerkz with no hassle and dodging gracefully the blades of the hype machine.

This hand-picked venue, (that looked like an abandoned warehouse from Silent Hill) served as catalyst of the band's gripping vibe with its black walls, low ceilings and massive industrial fans behind the stage. Fay was the first one to establish contact with her instrument and kick-started a kaleidoscopic drum intro, keeping one arm in the air while beating the cymbals with the other one accompanied by bright beams of light shooting in every direction.







Bassist Ayse was chewing gum but her fingers were running ten times faster than her jaw. Jehn stepped back and brought the microphone with her, grabbing it steadily with both hands with a furious stompy swing until "City's Full" ended.

To use the word atmospheric would be to underestimate the actual sense of commitment, sharpness and awkward charm of their obscurely uplifting beats and overpowering stage presence. No one blinked because no one was given the chance to.









The impulse of these girls was so intense that they didn't say a word until after mid-set where Jehn timidly acknowledged the audience with a playful "Hello my darlings".

A few cheers were offered in return and one eager fan shouted something from the back that the band (and me) were unable to understand. Jehn replied saying, "What? I'm sorry, I'm French..." (most of us laughed) and quickly added: "The next song is called Shut Up..." (most of us laughed again).







I still have the poisonous bass line of "Flying To Berlin" nailed in the back of my head and as the night came to an end and the last couple of slower tracks turned down the heat a bit we all held tight for the big finale. "Is that the song they played on Jools?" one middle age guy asked to another, "Yes! Told you they were good!" the first one nodded. "Husbands" was received with an ovation that lasted the whole intro until Jehn cut it with her never-hesitant vocals.

All instruments muted in unison, the silky black fabrics of Savages clothes were covered in sweat, and their last energetic bars were used to proudly wave goodbye to the ever so welcoming London crowd.

A live EP titled "I Am Here" was also released last week and believe me, the recording fails to do justice on these tracks, you NEED to see Savages live.








Setlist:

City's Full
I Am Here
Give Me A Gun
Another War
Down In The Strife
Waiting For A Sign
Shut Up
Flying To Berlin
She Will
No Face
Husbands