More about: The Wants

Hoards of BBC Radio 6 listeners and music photographers all bound together in the front row is usually a good indicator that you’re at the right gig. It's certainly the case for The Wants’ eagerly anticipated return to London tonight (27 February).

On their second tour of the UK, the U.S.A’s finest exports commandeer a techno infusion into a no-wave inspired outfit, arriving on top form with blistering guitar shrieks and rampant synths. 

Shaking the ear-drums in support, London noise outfit Happy Couple provide a sensationalised conquest that borders fuzz, chaos and grunge; casting themselves as definite one to watch out for with potential to improve. 

After moments of eerie silence, The Wants come out all guns blazing on yet-to-be-released number ‘Ramp’, a jangly guitar and deep-lying techno instrumental, flexing signs of a toned and crafted debut album. With a teething and eager crowd, the energy is taken a step further into the unknown through ‘Nuclear Party’, showcasing a pulsing and sporadic change of direction. 

Next, an infant ‘Container’ births itself unsuspectedly, spiralling into a frantic descent of the darkened and neck-bending, warranting a response of “Tease It, Eat It, Feed It, Keep It” from only the most-devout Wants. The title track lands a fatal blow on the crowd, pushing the atmosphere further, paired with Madison Velding Van-Dams’ anarchic guitar solo-salsa. 

Energy matched, ‘Fear My Society’ is welcomed with a raw of noise upon its creeping intro. Lead Van-Dam points and longingly stares down the crowd, questioning our intrinsic takes on our emotions and societal norms.

Upon a whirring, decibel rendering build-up that wouldn’t be out of place in Bladerunner, ‘The Motor’ crafts an internal frenzy of flashbacks to basement raves and illegal house-parties, pushing for a serotonin climax.

Coming down from the utmost reaches of our own endorphins, the three-piece delve into the rest of their forthcoming album, debuting ‘Ape Trap’, which playlists as an echoing post-punk pilgrimage, followed by the jiving and fizzed-out ‘Hydra’. 

In a seeming close, ‘Clearly A Crisis’ makes an eager and ready appearance, lending the set to a timely turn-down, warranting an encore in which ‘Island of Cells’ makes its debut offering. 

Halting the set at around 30 minutes, it's clear that the sold-out Lexington show is a teaser of more to come, from a band who are set by a clear intention to deliver thunderous live shows.

The Wants played:

Ramp
Nuclear Party
Container
Fear My Society
The Motor
Ape Trap
Hydra
Clearly A Crisis
Island of Cells

More about: The Wants