Mew - London Barfly @ Monarch - 17/12/03
4/5
By: Andy Willson
It's not often that you acquire value for money in this day and age, but a three-quarters-full toilet-circuit venue recently got a gig and a video-show for the collective, princely sum of a mere £6:00. Boss. Even rarer, however, was the witnessing of something genuinely different amidst such archaic confines; something with a noticeably decipherable edge over the rest of the run-of-the-mill up-and-comings. Yes, then - Mew exceeded all expectations. In a crowd primarily made up of industry-bods, the Copenhagen-based quintet shone their festive-star, and can finally join the shortlist of quality Danish exports alongside the esteemed likes of Carlsberg, Lego, bacon and Peter Schmeichel... Well done, lads.
Having originally convened at school whilst making a video about the end of the world, as you do, Jonas Bjerre and pals simultaneously created a unique musical-sound in their spare hours, presumably to counteract an otherwise generic, one-dimensional indie-scene. So, as most aspiring rock stars were thinking about what could go after 'The' to form their band-name, and began dragging out the old AC/DC and Stooges vinyl's to fuel inspiration, Mew took a different route altogether... And it's to their credit.
Tonight, amidst an enthralling forty-minute set, echoes of Smashing Pumpkins at their mellower moments, and Wannadies (they shan't thank us for that) wash over all like a splash of Old Spice, lovingly accompanied by home-made films which accentuate the calmness. Uncommon is it the case too that a band specifically request for all the lights to be turned off - not even on a bad-hair day - but such aloofness sets the scene somewhat perfectly; all senses are aroused as the mesmerising magic of Mew takes hold, and clings like creeping ivy.
The opener is last single, 'Am I Wry? No', and, contrary to the suited appearance of such attendees, it appears that many present already know the glidingly jangly chorus (conveniently, the words are projected onto the large screen behind, for those unprepared), and the Mew machine officially launches ahead at full steam. The unquestionable highlight, though, happens to be a virtual-duet in the shape of 'Her Voice Is Beyond Her Years', with Swedish siren Stina Nordenstam, a woman present this evening via an impeccably-timed projection onto the screened backdrop. Aside from the slight confusion whether the next song will be 'Snow Brigade', or recent, lullaby 45, 'She Came Home For Christmas', it all runs so smoothly for a band so young, and the latter title wins itself an airing, the players effortlessly proving how such a beautiful track can be rendered as harmoniously live as its recorded partner.
Mew are, indeed, an acquired taste, and if they can reach the masses with their quirky sound, and boyishly foppish haircuts, then this unassuming bunch could be in for a very prosperous 2003. Fortunately, judging from the initial reactions, their audience tonight for one would seemingly be the first to cheer them on their road to eminence.
Artists in this article: Mew, Mewgatz
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