Live Review: Haim, The Preatures

The Preatures are schizophrenic. Ok, maybe not that severe, more Bipolar; two very different sides of the same whole. The difference between Isabella Manfredi and Gideon Bensen's leads is astounding, and when they harmonise together, impeccable. Play their singles, Take A Card and Is This How You Feel, next to each other and you'll get the idea. Their sound of greaser-grunge meets shiny-synth works exceptionally well. New track, Cruel, is a corker, with a Blondie vibe and an awesome lead guitar lick, but the reworking of Threat to be more “like Fleetwood Mac” was not so great. Their sound is their own, and while it's cool to pay tribute to your idols, there's greater worth in sticking to what makes The Preatures an amazing band to both watch and watch out for.

This gig will go down in folklore. Three Valley girls from LA, without a record to their name, playing to a packed Hi-Fi, with an energy that was simply euphoric. Hello Haim! The stage was set with a deconstructed drum kit allowing each of the Haim sisters to show their multi-instrumental talents. They don't seem to write songs so much as a series of licks and hooks that have bass grooves, crash chords and flourishes of percussion that bounce around your head from first listen. Haim have a natural intensity on stage that's part Jay Z, part Kate Bush, and utterly enthralling. The girls were relaxed but eager, with some charming banter and a true appreciation of the adoring crowd. Every track they have released got a run, including a rousing singalong to Falling, as well as Don't Save Me, Let Me Go and Go Slow. Vocally they are equal parts ingénue, hip hop, garage rock and metal. Their talents individually would be enough to slay the musical world. Combine the trio and you end up with a show that emulates the can't-look-away excitement of the great bands that they will go down in history alongside. The big finale of a drum and lights show was sublimely primal – a true “I remember when” moment for the lucky audience.