Fickle Stratosphere

Photo by Emma Obanye

The Long Blondes played the last date of their UK tour last night, at The Forum. They were touring their second album, "Couples", which I haven't heard yet (nor have I heard good things about.) They enter a stage lined with naked mannequins that face the audience, to the sound of The Mutantes' "Panis Et Circenses". Kate Jackson, the lead singer, is a leggy non-blonde whose good looks and belting voice can't be properly summed up by videos or photos. I witness a few tongues roll to the ground from the men surrounding me when she takes over the mic (the same men who will later call out for her to take off her top, and give me more insight into the appeal of the band for some.) I keep my eyes on the bassist, who is mates with woodsrule; she plays the set to the side, giving the audience a variety of quizzical and shy looks. It's hard however to get your eyes off Kate, the indie-girl-gone-off-the-tracks that keeps the band together. And she knows this too when she joins the drummer during the first song (a track from the new album that reminds me of Siouxsie & the Banshees circa 1980) giving everyone a coquettish view of her slim body.

The only songs to get the crowd going come from their first album. The new tracks in their live versions lack melody, catchy choruses, or even the oomph from some of their earlier singles. The only stand out track is new single Century, which comes across as a psychedelic take on The Cure (the album track sadly pales in comparison to what I heard last night.) "Century" shows an interesting direction the band could follow, away from the sub-Blondie songs that seem to litter this new album. Just like the stiff mannequins, the Long Blondes are coming across this time around as slightly too mannered for their own good. When Kate points to someone in the front row and says he looks like a young Morrissey, the cynical in me can't help but wonder if she's trying to conjure up a certain mood. In any case, it's not enough to cause rapturous stage invasions or a new Britpop revival.

Photos from the gig: Emma Obanye, Piano Cktail
Other people there: Lib Dem councillor Matt Davies, This Is London