Photo: WENN
I Am Kloot are a trio that have been a slow burner since their debut album surfaced eleven years ago.
Since the beginning the band have been one of the most underrated acts in the country. Frontman, John Bramwell, is a craftsman who writes with unrivalled poignancy, honesty, and humour. But after spending a decade in the relative shadows as a band that only those 'in the know' properly appreciated, 2010's 'Sky at Night' changed everything.
Bramwell and co set up camp at Blueprint studios in Salford, where the record was produced by none other than Guy Garvey and Craig Potter of Elbow.
After the record brought commercial success and a Mercury Prize nomination, I Am Kloot again teamed up with Garvey and Potter and will release their new album 'Let It All In', in January.
Last night the Mancunians took to London's Islington Assembly hall for a sold out gig to showcase the new material alongside a selection of the band's finest hits, and the trademark alcohol-fuelled whit of Bramwell.
The set begins with Sky At Night's opener 'Northern Skies'. Bramwell resembles a genuine troubadour as he strums his acoustic guitar with one foot on top of his amp- effortless class.
The beer is following generously throughout the set, it's common place for all three of I Am Kloot to get well-oiled while performing. It just seems to add that bit extra, like a darts player sinking a couple of pints before the World Championships.
"This one's about drinking... and disaster", Bramwell jokes as the band treat the audeince to the quintessentally Northern ballad, 'The Brink'.
I Am Kloot performing at WOMAD Festival
Throughout the set I Am Kloot confidently air a large portion of the new material. There's a slight mis-hap as a bum note halts the intro of one new track- but it's quickly forgotten as tracks from 'Let It All In' pick up exactly where 'Sky At Night' left off.
Older songs such as '86 TVs', 'Storm Warning', and 'No Fear of Falling' didn't yield quite as much commercial success when they were released in the early 00s, but the encapsulation of the audience during all three proves it was always deserved.
There's a slight indication the earlier slip-up is still in Bramwell's mind as he takes another swig of his ale and says "Here's another new song, and this one's f**king tricky!". But the rendition is hitch-less.
The introduction of two of Elbow's founding members on production duties has added an extra layer to I Am Kloot's sound that suggests should the opportunity ever arise, the would have no problem conquering the arena-sized venues that Garvey and co are now so used to.
"We're from Manchester, this one's about summer", Bramwell jests as he strikes up the intro to 'Morning Rain', an I Am Kloot gig just wouldn't be the same without the warmness of the singer's crowd interaction.
The set is rounded off with a heart-warming singalong of the band's trademark hit 'Proof'. I Am Kloot leave the stage to rapturous applause, and seem genuinely humbled by the reaction.
So much so that they return for one last swan-song in the shape of dark love-song 'Twist'.
One of the most hard-working bands around, I Am Kloot will be back in London at Camden's Barfly on Monday- you'd be daft to miss it.
See the video for 'Proof' starring Christopher Ecclestone below.
