Miike Snow & Jack Penate: A Biased British Review

Last night we went to see Jack Peñate and Miike Snow at Wrongbar. We arrived and things started off a little strange, with a camera crew filming an episode of some Cop show right outside. So for tonight Wrongbar was re-christened ‘The Black Penny’! Luckily upon entering we discovered, despite the fracas outside, everything was as it should be inside.
So at this point its probably only fair we make a little confession, unlike 90% of people there, we were not here to see Miike Snow but instead we were all about Jack Peñate.

Jack Peñate went on first to an already excitable, packed crowd. He kicked off his set with the title track from his new album ‘Everything is New’ which immediately got everyone interested. I was intrigued (possibly sceptical?) to see how the sound of Jack Peñate’s sophomore album would translate to a live show. ‘Everything is New’ is a significant departure from the first album, the upbeat more radio-friendly ‘Matinee’ . However, the somnambulant synthy sounds worked surprisingly well when translated live. A combination of an awesome band, complete with soulful back up singer, and Peñate’s energetic, bordering on crazed, performance ensured the crowd did not get a chance to lose interest. It’s obvious that Peñate is just as excited to play his new album as he was the day he wrote the songs, which is refreshing after listening to so many bands who are obviously sick to death of touring their new album. This was highlighted by the fact that he only chose one track, ‘Second, Minute or Hour’, from his debut album to play tonight. A highlight came when Jack Peñate took to the piano for the more mellow track, ‘Body Down’. He kept the new album’s stand out tracks, ‘Be the One’ and ‘Tonight’s Today’ for the end of his set which ensured he went out on a high.
Musicians take note, this is how British acts perform and, quite frankly, how every gig should be.

So then it came to Miike Snow. So as we said we hadn’t seen/heard much about these guys. The only buzz I had heard was around some remixes (check out hypem for a full list) which I don’t think bodes particularly well for live artists. Judging by the crowd who were amped up and screaming (!!) everyone else was pretty pleased to be catching these guys. I am on the constant hunt for new music to devour so we were counting on something to fill the void here. The guys jumped on stage in darkness , and matching dark satine jackets. One of the opening songs, ‘Burial’ was obviously a crowd pleaser but I couldn’t shake that feeling of “ Have I heard this in a car advert?” I don’t mean to sound scathing to these guys because they are obviously well adored but as a new listener they just didn’t hook me in. I bobbed, I nodded I even felt it sometime but we were constantly chasing that epic feeling, that bass that grabs and shakes your heart. Andrew Wyatt’s voice was the treat, pure and on key perfect live. Perhaps Peñate’s energetic performance was too much of a contrast to the pretentious darkness of Miike Snow but judging by the idle chit chat, bar queue and smokers round the corner I think Miike Snow’s music is best left for alone time, travelling time or perhaps best left alone completely.

P.s  - We wrote this blog last night and feel compelled to add a post script. We stand by everything we wrote about the show last night but after listening to Miike Snow this morning we’d like to admit we’re really enjoying them. So our advice would be, get some Miike Snow in your life, you won’t be disappointed, just maybe give the live show a miss.

G + M