Alphabeat @ The Basement 21/10/08

I was lucky enough to arrive at The Basement, just as the sextet got on stage, to start their sound checks. They began playing randomly, and within seconds, you could feel their energy filling the venue. Suddenly the sound check had turned into Eminem’s “Loose Yourself”, and all the crew as well as the band got into their best gangster mode. The atmosphere was relaxed, laidback but with a hint of giddy excitement for the show to come. After the sound check, it was time for an interview with Stine and Anders B, aka Lil Anders, in the humble quarters of Basement’s dressing room. To hear the interview click here.
After two excellent supports by the name of Pandering and the Gold Diggers and Das Pop, the show kicked off in best Alphabeat style with Troels the Alphabeater playing the rhythm to “Fantastic 6” on an empty stage. Once the crowd where all clapping along, the rest of the band entered beginning to play the intro, shortly followed by Stine and Anders SG, entering the stage just as the lyrics started. The crowd went wild, and the sold out venue were instantly jumping up and down.

Next was the Danish summer single, “GoGo” a brilliant song to dance to, which everybody in the venue did energetically. After which came the newest UK single “What is Happening”, which is out on November 24. This song really shows off the unique harmony of Stine and Anders SG’s voices, as well as their chemistry on stage. Next up was “A Message” a more low key song, sung beautifully by Stine, and the best known of the four songs played, which are not on either album.

When Alphabeat left the stage after “Touch me touching you”, the audience knew it wasn’t the end, and instantly began chanting “Fascination”. When Alphabeat re-entered almost whispering, The word is on your lips, a rapture spread amongst the crowd repeating the words over and over again religiously.

Through out the entire set the energy was incredible, not only from Alphabeat but from the whole audience, even the 40-something mums right at the back were dancing the whole time. There is no doubt that Alphabeat can not only deliver a good pop song, but an amazing live show, with interesting antidotes, new takes on their songs, a stage presence high above the norm, and an interaction with the audience which is formidable.

I was very impressed by their inquisitiveness in Newcastle and the university, and how eager they where to deliver a great show, even after having been on tour for so long. There is no doubt that Alphabeat are a unique group of very talented, intelligent, fun loving, down to earth individuals, spreading the joy of pop music to anyone who encounters them. They are a must see live act, for anyone looking for a good time.

Setlist:

1) Fantastic 6

2) Go Go

3) Do what you want

4) What is happening

5) A message

6) Hanging Tough

7) 10.000 nights

8) Rubber boots

9) Get Round

10) Boyfriend

11) Touch me touching you

12) Fascination

Words and photos by Emilia Flockhart

Das Pop @ Newcastle University Union

Even though Belgian band Das Pop was the support act for Alphabeat that night, they got a really good reception from the crowd. I’ve known about this band for a long time, and I was surprised to see that they’re playing so many relatively large gigs overseas now. It was obvious that most people came just to see Alphabeat that night, ranging from old people reliving their youth to young children, but all of them seemed to genuinely enjoy the happy tunes of Das Pop. In a sold out basement of the union the band got the audience to dance and clap along to their new songs such as ‘Underground’ and ‘Try Again’. It gets even better though; when singer Bent asked if they would come see the band again at their gig in February, the audience loudly cheered yes. Which I guess is the most positive reception you can get as band – not only does the crowd like your show, they even want to see you again!
Das Pop - unlike Alphabeat in my opinion - were the only band that night that seemed to make really enjoyable pop music without it becoming too cheesy or annoying. Also as a live band there really is nothing bad that can be said about them, even the vocals sounded like they should. During the last song of their set ‘Can’t get enough’ they asked the whole audience to sing along to it, which most of them actually did. The band enjoyed it, the audience enjoyed it, I enjoyed it, so all in all a successful evening! And hey if you didn’t like the music at least the bearded dungarees-wearing guitarist and dancing singer were fun to watch.

Review and images by Saskia van der Velde