Live Review: Glass Animals, James Crooks

11 July 2016 | 1:49 pm | Melissa Borg

"Dave Bayley and co are party starters, showing us all up on the dancing front."

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The tribal beats and tropical motifs of Glass Animals tracks, coupled with the gritty, grimy vibes of the Metro made for one hell of a night of euphoric revelry.

Loosening our hips and lips were James Crooks' sparse electronic tracks, Crooks choosing to fill the dancefloor with some genuine beats. He thanked us for our appreciation and snapped an Insta pic of the full Metro before heading off stage. 

The tribal beats and sensuous vocals of Life Itself was the perfect opener for Glass Animals' set; it released something primal in us, causing everyone to grind their hips and groove along to track, setting a sultry tone for the evening.

Dave Bayley and co are party starters, showing us all up on the dancing front, with Bayley shaking his booty like it was nobody's business as he sang slinky track Hazey (which describes how most us started to feel as we further indulged in this exotic universe).

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The thing that sets Glass Animals apart and makes them so intriguing are the details and influences they imbue into their tracks, and this was not something that was not forgotten during their live set. Tropical motifs allowed you to traverse the South Pacific; melodies shimmered and swelled, crisp and popping beats transported you to a Caribbean cruise — all of it expertly held together by drummer Joe Seaward.

Gooey was out of this world, and the atmosphere carried through as they played a smattering of new tracks. Nothing was going to maim this rendezvous from reality, enforced by encore cries after sultry closer Toes.

Glass Animals returned to cover Love Lockdown, with this evening's experience being arguably better than any Kanye concert. Pools was a jubilant end to a euphoric set, and it was smiles all 'round as we bounded out.