Carling Academy, Islington

Kosheen were somewhat of an unknown live force to me for some time. I’ve heard and love their biggest hits, ‘All In My Head’, ‘Catch’ and ‘Hide U.’ I adore their album artwork with those beautiful portrait photographs, making it an absolute thrill to discover what was inside. But I think more importantly the whole package makes me think that this band is far more about substance than celebrity. They are basically a band of intensely dedicated musicians fronted by a woman who can only be described as one of the most effortlessly cool and enthralling singers from these shores. Sian Evans exhales passion and power, as easily as a whisper. She is all about the music and communicating it to the audience with the energy of a freight train.

The style of music Kosheen produce is difficult to categorise, although many in the music press have tried over the years, never quite nailing it. Which is kind of how it should be as great music is just great music; it doesn’t need categorising, just a good honest ear to take it in; and in the case of Kosheen, a pair of happy legs to get moving along to the tunes. There is a real electronic feel to Kosheen on record, but with the added oomph of a rock band to carry the dance along. It is an interesting mix that is not particularly new, but is rarely done with such absolute quality, energy and success. What makes it all the more engaging is that this style of music is usually made by rich producers to make quick and big bucks, while making some dolled up bimbo a pop star. Of course those types of acts don’t last, and certainly can’t do it live.

It’s was pouring down outside so for pretty much the first time this year it’s actually nicer to be indoors. I got the feeling that despite London also hosting a very small Prince show, this was the place to be for those in the know, and this little venue was absolutely rammed with with fans.

This show came on the verge of the release of Kosheen’s third album, ‘DAMAGE.’ I expected to be bombarded with a raft of new tracks with a few old favourites loosely and sparsely scattered through the set. However, the band are clearly aware of what the people wanted and gave a glimpse of the new record without drowning us in unknown songs that would just wash over. Again this just says to me that these guys are not about selling records and playing it by numbers, rather, are far more concerned about giving to the audience what they really wanted to hear. We ultimately got five songs from the new album, four from the second album (‘KOKOPELLI’), and six from the debut album (‘RESIST’).

The set started with new album opener, ‘Damage.’ It is powerful, very powerful. From the start I noticed a rockier vibe to the tracks than on record, which is to be expected, however, this one really rocked! Sian was the showpiece here, rocketing around the stage and delivering ferocious onslaughts with astonishing ease, as the natural power of her voice controlled the show. If any criticism could be levelled at the band it is that there was little showmanship elsewhere; you wished for a windmill on guitar or even a slight wobble of a keyboard stand… As the gig progressed the one woman show began to feel the heat and slowed a little mid-set to gather some pace for the final run-in.

Up second was instant classic ‘Overkill’ from the new album followed by the glorious ‘Catch’, which gets the crowd moving and singing along in harmony. ‘Chances’ (from the new album) was next, and signalled increasing crowd participation and performance energy in response. Then a few more older songs until we reached ‘Hide U.’ The place erupted with its unmistakable keyboard opening and throbbing drum heartbeat. They really got this right on the night; the set-list was perfection, and the crowd, having waited a good while to get their heroes back on stage, lapped it all up - like a father finding his old Scaletrix in the loft, except you didn’t feel a little cheated when you realised why it was put it in the loft in the first place… A seamless rally of old and new followed including, ‘Guilty’(new), ‘Hungry’(old) and ‘Ages’(middle-aged) that sustained the show’s rocking dance groove. Then we got the classic ‘Resist’, still sounding fresh and vibrant (which is more than can be said for the electrics on stage as we were made fully aware by Sian’s visible and growing displeasure). Thankfully we did not suffer the same problems and her performance was still breathtakingly perfect, even after having blazed her way through twelve songs.

A few more songs are sent our way with the insanely brilliant, and back-to-basics rock/pop of ‘All In My Head’ pretty much sealing the deal, until ‘Wish’ came along to close the show. That was it but it felt a little too soon, although we had recived more than our fair share. Quite how the crowd managed to still be dancing at the finish is as much a miracle as Sian not even hinting at a slight vocal croak.

The show was like a heavy night in a dance club, with a rock band hammering away in the corner. It is a difficult mix to get right, and an even more difficult one to translate to the stage without sacrificing any of the key elements. But Kosheen managed to pull it off with the live vocal and instruments adding dimensions that cannot be portrayed on record; it felt more natural and organic. The new songs were instantly loved and the older ones passionately treasured. I think the show would have been even better had the whole band been a little more animated and let the sounds that they were creating take them over - as it did everyone else in the in the room. But for quite an early show in what is a return to the cycle of promotions for the new album, this was a powerhouse performance. And the Prince punters, who still had two hours to wait for their show, didn’t know what they missed.