White Lies @ The Cluny

White Lies are currently riding a wave of anticipation for their debut album, but for now fans have to make do with the release of their new single ‘Death’. Consequently a headline tour couldn’t come at a better time for the band. A close to sold out crowd are spoilt for up and coming alternative bands however as White Lies are joined by Lemington band Post War Years and female fronted 3-piece The Joy Formidable.
There’s something intriguing and fascinating about Post War Years. They started the set to a small arriving crowd, the majority of which probably hadn’t heard of the outfit. However by the end of their set, they’ve won nearly everybody over with their experimental, sample-crammed set, buzzing with energy and guts. With comparisons to Battles, Hot-Chip and Tom Vek this has to be one of the best support band’s I’ve seen all year. Next up, The Joy Formidable seem a more obvious choice as a support act for White Lies, similarly dressed in all black. Despite a strong start to the set, which gets the crowd tapping along, they fail to win over the growing crowd. A few gems signal promises of more to come.
White Lies seemed to have mastered this doom-and-gloom image malarkey. Which perfectly accompanies their equally drastic sound that plays around with lyrics about funerals, the cost of love and the death of a relationship or the death of someone even closer? What White Lies have in abundance is catchy songs. Unfinished Business and Death have been around for some time but other songs in the set glow as bright as the 2 singles. The 4th time I’ve seen this band and it’s a great feeling hearing a song that you remember liking on previous occasions but can’t track down online anywhere. Part of the draw of this band is the lack of songs they’ve put out for people to hear recorded. This must have been what it was like to see a band before the internet made it so easy to spread music and gossip on the latest hype band. Tonight is one of those performances where even though you might not be familiar with the majority of the songs played, you can enjoy yourself and anticipate any future releases. This band is destined for bigger things, a point no one at the Cluny tonight would contest.


Review by Christian Allen