Live Review: Birds Of Tokyo, Ecca Vandal

Birds Of Tokyo

It feels like Birds of Tokyo are that one band that has been around forever. You used to kinda be into them but now your mum plays their three latest singles on repeat all the time, and rather than swallow your pride and admit that your mum’s taste in music isn’t that bad, you just let your love for the band fade out until they decide to release another flawless single for you and your mum to sing along to in the car.

It might just be tribute to our own personal experience, but walking into the Gov on Thursday night and being greeted by a sold out crowd of late-20-to-30-somethings did not surprise us in the slightest. We were, in fact, relatively thankful for a more laidback crowd obviously just there to enjoy some live music.

If we never understood the term “tore up the stage” before now, we do after seeing Ecca Vandal play. Her energy on stage was truly something otherworldly, bouncing around in fluoro Adidas socks and matching the gazes of the crowd with her own goosebump-inducing stare. Singles White Flag and Battle Royal were met with enthusiastic applause. Special mention also has to be given to her drummer, whose skills on the kit were honestly mesmerising.

Absolute kudos to whoever was in charge of lighting at the show, as the display of colours and strobes was worthy of being a ticketed event in itself. Birds Of Tokyo graced the stage, having colour-cooordinated their outfits, ready to show the audience what a true pub gig was really about (stage invaders taking selfies and raw, unrelenting acoustics).

The first half of the show did admittedly get off to a slow start. It was only after lead singer Ian Kenny donned a guitar halfway through for Boy that the set really picked up the pace and the audience relaxed into the bliss of well known hits. Plans, Murmurs and Silhouettic all garnered enthusiastic singalongs from the crowd. Recent single, Anchor, showed off the band’s musicianship and there really is something truly awesome about watching a singer really feel the music.

Finishing off with a triple encore that included the nostalgic Lanterns and smash-hit This Fire, the band bade the crowd farewell with grateful handshakes for those in the front row, leaving a buzzing energy in the venue behind them.