Photo: WENN
Officially The Horrors are playing Oxford Street’s 100 Club to coincide with the recent release of their excellent fourth long player, Luminous - but despite this they perform a set which lifts heavily from their breakthrough record Primary Colours, as well as its follow-up Skying.
Moments after to taking to the stage and as soon as the band launch into opener 'Sea Within a Sea', it’s obvious this will not be the standard album promo party. Badwan, whose mannerisms at times recall a young Julian Casablancas, perfected the role of enigmatic frontman years ago and tonight sees the 27 year old in irrepressible form. The spoken interlude midway through the blisteringly loud 'Who Can Say' is still delivered with stone cold, aloof, detachment of a serial killer making the elastic synth of latest release 'So Now You Know' sound like bubblegum pop in comparison.
A legendary venue, the 100 Club may be, but the frustratingly positioned pillars coupled with a stage that requires the band stand side to side with one another results in a viewing experience which is far from ideal. However, as has been well-documented such gripes relating to the aesthetic of the venue only “add to the character” of gigs at the 100, and when the band on stage is on such ferocious form like that of tonight, these complaints quickly pale into the trivial.
A man of very few words, Badwan reminds us that the band has now been together for over 9 years, a fact that seems almost impossible to fathom, not because The Horrors’ music lacks the boundless, zeal of youth, but rather because their material, without exception, still bristles with the sort of industrial restlessness more associated with a band searching for their elusive breakthrough. In short, The Horrors make every record, and play every gig as if it is their last. Hopefully this will continue for years to come, but then 'Who Can Say'.
