Hey, at least I can say I spent the evening being entertained by the band that invited the whole audience to the aftershow do. Although the venue is only just a quarter full – fair enough, it’s a Monday night – thisGIRL are all smiles for the evening. And so they should be – based on tonight’s performance, they are a band who are nothing short of inspirational.
The ‘Girl fit nicely into the niche created by bands like Reuben and Biffy Clyro (both ex-tourmates of thisGIRL); brilliantly indescribable, original, and absolutely fucking ace. thisGIRL may also be THE most energetic band I’ve ever seen – if improbably-named frontman Liam Creamer wasn’t born to do this kind of thing, then God knows why else he’s here. It’s refreshing to hear a frontman so genuinely chuffed that people have come to see his band, and Creamer’s cherubic charm hides the fact that they may well be disappointed by the turnout.
An incendiary rendition of ‘Using Radars To Communicate’ makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up, and you ask yourself “Why haven’t I gone to see thisGIRL before?” - it’s probably because at the moment, thisGIRL may as well be one of Blighty’s best kept secrets. Songs like ‘Dil-Dil Deewana’ shouldn’t keep it that way for long though; Creamer, bassist Matt Wesley, guitarist Chris Shepperd, and even drummer Ryan Jenkinson flail about like this could be their last ever show. Before the chorus. Their spunky-punky-emo-metal-jazz hybrid explodes all over the place like a bag of nuclear-powered popping candy, and you’re left gasping for more when the band leave the stage after only just half an hour; but it’s understandable, considering the band’s parting gift – 4 very large pools of sweat and a ravaged drumkit.
thisGIRL are having a party tonight. You’re all invited.
