CLUB KOKO
THURSDAY 23RD MAY
‘We could not be happier to be home’ Crystal Fighters lead singer Sebastian Pringle tells the sold out crowd at Koko on Thursday night. And judging by the deafening roar of welcome from the audience, the feeling is mutual. After taking time away to work on their forthcoming album Cave Rave, the folktronica group are in the early stages of a worldwide tour, but they are going to have a hard time topping this gig.
From the moment the five-piece bounce on stage in various stages of undress (or sequins in the case of lead singer Pringle) it’s clear that tonight is going to be a party. ‘Are we ready to have a little rave in this cave tonight?’ Pringle taunts. Did he even need to ask? Tracks like Follow and Love Is All I Got have the audience in raptures and the security guards working overtime to rescue the steady stream of crowd surfers from the sweaty dance floor.
The sight of Gilbert Vierich and Graham Dickson playing a wooden xylophone-style instrument called the Txalaparta is worth the price of admission alone, but the mix of old and new material makes for an exciting and diverse show. Favourites like Plage are almost anthemic while the response to latest single You and I is a good indication that the bands sophomore album is going to be as popular as Star of Love.
Returning for an encore of I Love London (what else?) the show ends in exhilarating fashion. Preaching messages of love and togetherness, it would be easy for a Crystal Fighters gig to verge on naff but their music is so damn good that it just leaves you feeling uplifted. And while there is no doubt that the audience all love London too, venturing back out into the dreary May night, we’re all grateful for a bit of that.
If you missed out interview with the band, well what are you waiting for, catch up here.