Tonight’s gig could have been disastrous for The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart. If rolling news bulletins are to believed: the London tube strike has seen fighting at bus stops and travel times akin to those of the Victorian era. Fortunately, this gathering of indie-kids are not allowing pesky travel disruptions to ruin their evening and the atmosphere is anything but hostile.
The band walk on smiling, visibly heartened by the enthusiastic reception. What’s clear from interviews and their onstage demeanour; is that they are fans, hugely excited by making music and theopportunities to meet indie heroes and like-minded musos while out on the road. It’s an endearing trait.
A sea of bracelet-adorned hands point skywards through the darkly comic ‘This Love Is Fucking Right’, and the crowd join in with the ‘ooh-oohs’ on ‘Come Saturday’ the band’s ode to absent lovers.
Despite their cult/ C86 band comparisons: there is a louder, overdriven side to them. Blasts of Jesus and the Mary Chain and Pale Saints come through at times: setting off what has to be the politest mosh pit I’ve ever seen.
I’m not sure whether it’s down to the sound levels in the club, or the sheer volume of fans singing along; but occasionally Kip and Peggy’s vocals get lost in the mix. That said, seeing the giddy response to ‘Young Adult Friction’ tonight, I’d say this is a strong contender for indie anthem of the summer. Watch out Black Kids, I envisage competition on the festival circuit this year!They say few things onstage, sweetly acknowledging the tube strikes and taking time out to thank support bands Tender Trap and Shrag.
It’s been a joyous evening: I sincerely hope their charm remains as the mainstream draws them in. I suspect it will.