Photo: WENN
In the same week which saw them jump ahead of Adele and Coldplay on the iTunes chart with latest EP At Most A Kiss’, the Stockport five-piece Blossoms take to the stage at London’s Scala to round-off this years string of NME Awards shows.
“Who here’s not from London,” lead singer Tom Ogden asks the rowdy crowd, with a response that proves people have traveled far and wide to celebrate their No.1 success with them. The dedication from fans is rather impressive - there’s literally a coach-load of their hometown followers in attendance - who manage to start drunken chants of “MANCHESTER…MANCHESTER…” between tracks.
Blossoms may have only just finished recording their debut LP, but demonstrate they have more than enough material already to satisfy fans of their psychedelic twist on indie pop. Launching into the infectious stomp of ‘At Most A Kiss’ early in the set, the band create a sound destined for much bigger spaces, with Ogden’s vocals channeling Suede’s Brett Anderson. ‘Smoke’ – one of Blossom’s darker tracks – builds slowly to a heavy instrumental climax, with eerie synth textures filling the venue.
“Do you mind if we slow it down for a minute?” Ogden asks as he introduces lighters-in-the-air acoustic number, ‘Favourite Room’. “He does – go get a beer or summat!” The crowd isn’t left waiting too long though, before Blossoms pick up the pace once more with single ‘Charlemagne’. The track is fittingly dedicated to Viola Beach, who tragically lost their lives while in Sweden this month, and who were due to still be touring as support for Blossoms.
Keeping things simple, the set ends after nine songs, and there’s no encore – showcasing the best of the EP releases so far. With festival season fast approaching however, and a debut album ready to go - there’s no doubt Blossoms will be packing-out fields and tents across the country this summer. The best is yet to come.
