Friendly Fires & Jape - Audio, Brighton - 6/10/08
5/5
By: Dickon Stone
As I made my way into Audio, I was immediately struck by a great sense of awe, anticipation, and adoration hanging in the air. And this wasn't even for the night's headliners, Friendly Fires. Jape have the stage presence of an orchestra; which considering that the band consists of only two members, represents a pretty good effort.
I suppose that few people present recognise many (if any) of the tracks that Jape are playing, though I think in a few months this will be a very different story. But despite this unfamiliarity, the band have gotten the full attention of the Brighton venue, who look on wide-eyed, open-eared and with feet tapping. Few can help but get caught by the infectious beats bubbling and blasting from the array of electronic equipment (legend has it that Audio has the most expensive sound system in the country) flashing and whirring away on stage, and get sucked into a state of captivation by Richie Egan's picky guitar, gentle vocals and and such an array of keyboards that he doesn't even have the requisite arms to play them all simultaneously - at one point, the mod wheel is played by his nose.
A few drinks later, Friendly Fires grace the stage. Opening with 'Photobooth', the band instantly capture a now jam-packed venue and a sea of chequered shirts and smiling faces surges forward like a chorus line of carnival revellers.
Indie anthems in the making 'Your Love' and 'On Board' receive a raucous jump-around-with-hands-in-the-air reception and in showers of confetti (courtesy of frontman Ed Macfarlane) and alcohol (spilled left right and centre as we all attempt to drink and dance-non-stop simultaneously) we fall in love with a singer who clearly gets off on his band's material. Dancing not dissimilarly to a combination of Bez and Ian Curtis; bleary eyed and pulling faces of pure joy and ecstasy; eyes closed often, he's well and truly inside this music's bubble. It isn't long before Macfarlane scales the security barrier, holding onto ceiling pipes for stability and continuing with his flawless vocals whilst being groped by anyone within range.
'Jump In The Pool' comes earlier than expected and I am certain Friendly Fires have peaked too soon... Wrong. 'Paris' blows everything out of the water. It is what we had all been waiting for. With it, Friendly Fires become epic live; virtuoso performances emanate from all band members on various instruments and percussive episodes, backing tracks are aired that could melt your brain they are so lovely, and an atmosphere of carefree-ness makes this feel like a street party in a foreign land.
Drummer, Jack Savidge explained how he felt about the gig when I grabbed his attention whilst buying a t-shirt after the show (dedication... yes, I love this band) thusly; "F**king hell, that was really intense! Being on such a low stage all you can see is the front row of people - like being in a cocoon, or in the centre of a riot..."
He wasn't far off. So, we insist, go see Friendly Fires immediately. But bring a spare pair of pants - you may sex-wee unexpectedly.
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