Finally the room began to fill up and a genuine sense of anticipation began to spread through the excited punters so that by the time Chew Lips climbed the stage to a barrage of rapturous cheers, you just knew this was going to be a special night.
Instantly the guys (and one or two of the girls) fell under the spell of lead singer Tigs, and proceeded to gaze lovingly in her direction for the rest of the show. I felt the pull myself, but, given that I had an article to write on the show, plus feared being the recipient of an angry slap to the face from my lovely lady, I managed somehow to clear my head.
Beginning the show with some brand new material which was clubbier and more boisterous than the songs on debut album Unicorn worked well in getting the crowd in a party mood. Playing for an hour – during which time I actually witnessed people dancing in Hoxton (terribly, admittedly) – the band treated us to a set that managed to maintain a high level of energy and intimacy throughout.
On stage Tigs exuded decadent charm while James held everything together nicely with basslines and synths to die for. Add to that a fantastic and ferocious new drummer, Chew Lips gave a terrific performance that will linger in the minds of the crowd for a long time to come.
