This gig sold out fairly quickly when it was announced, looks like ‘Achie, Marry Me’ appearing in most end of year lists really gave Alvvays some exposure.
Even before the doors open Tut’s is packed, there’s barely standing room as the doors open.
So far four people have asked me if they know where I can get tickets for tonight’s gig and luckily I see the same people all made it inside as Moon King take to the stage.
Moon King are great, it’s nice to see that Alvvays brought another Canadian band on tour with them.
Particularly since they sound similar enough that you can see a relationship, but they’re not a clone of each other.
Moon King flick between a few different genres, at some points they have a strict lo-fi indie thing going on but in the same song they can turn it round to sound way more ambient and spacey.
The band has a great stage presence as well, they’ve not got the typical deer in the headlights look some bands have when playing.
It’s refreshing to see just how much attention is paid to taking the bands songs into a live setting as well; hearing their recorded tracks live is beautiful.
They still sound so full and lush live, the band doesn’t miss a beat.
As the lights dim in preparation for Alvvays’ entrance a massive cheer erupts from the crowd and from this point on it’s easy to gauge the success the band have been reaping since they released their album.
Opening with a non-album track ‘Your Type’ and saving the singles for later might seem like a strange move, however by the time they plays their massive hit ‘Archie, Marry Me’ they have the crowd entranced.
The room bursts into a sing along with and it’s clear that this single in particular has been a massive success.
Stage banter is kept to a minimum, however we are treated to a rare call back to Molly Rankin and Kerri MacLellan’s Celtic musical roots, with a quick Celtic jig.
At this point the crowd have totally fallen head over heels for the band.
The band even pull out two fantastic covers and they make them entirely their own, a rare feat.
The set ends with a sublime double whammy of ‘Party Police’ and ‘Adult Diversion’ once the set finishes it becomes evident how well Alvvays have transferred the slick production of their album onto the live stage.
Like their contemporaries, Moon Kings, there isn’t a beat missed or a note fluffed, their performance has no doubt been honed over the continuous tour the band seem to have been on.
At this point the band have been offstage for a few minutes yet none of the crowd seem to have left, someone starts stamping their feet and cheering and the crowd joins in looking for an encore.
We’re treated to another two songs, a cover of what I think is ‘Out of Reach’ by The Primitives and a new song.
I’m annoyed I missed the title of the new song but it sounds fully formed and continues in the tradition of the band’s melodic, jangly pop.
If this performance is anything to go by, Alvvays second album might not be too far away and if it’s half as good as their first effort they’ll be playing some massive venues next time they hit the UK.
Words: Phil Allen
Photos: Tim J Gray
