Death From Above 1979 @ Brixton Academy, London - 25/02/2015

'Bass, drums and a whole lot of fury - Brixton may need a structural survey'

Death From Above 1979 at Brixton Academy - live review and photos

Photo: Richard Gray

For all the recent raving about Royal Blood's novel two-piece approach to music, it's great to be deafeningly reminded that Death From Above 1979 were doing the same thing - only faster and harder at least a decade ago.

Somewhat of a cult band, it was of little surprise that when they reformed in 2011 that DFA 1979 found most of their fan base was still there - if not stronger through hearsay and legend. With a fresh album out in 2014, they've jumped from strength-to-strength ever since.

Part of DFA1979's appeal is what the duo seem to be able to do with just a bass guitar, drums, occasional synths and a whole lot of fury. Ripping into 'Turn It Out' produces a siren-like start to proceedings, with brutal drumming that is like artillery fire. They rip through a high octane and surprisingly long set. Older numbers are as sludgy and aggressive as ever, with 'Go Home, Get Down' and the awesomely-titled 'You're a Woman, I'm a Machine' predictably brilliant in a live setting.

New material brings a more diverse sound, sounding at times like a mix of PIL and 90's David Bowie, particularly on the likes of 'Cheap Talk', even if the odd cheeky sample sneaks in seemingly from nowhere. There's not a great deal that can be done in terms of stage setup for just two people – in fairness DFA 1979 haven't really tried. Anyone here for a laser light show really is in the wrong place. Instead, Jesse Keeler and Sebastien Grainger simply face each other, battling to see which of them can generate the most sound.

No speakers can adequately deal with their heavy bass lines, and as a result at times this gig really treads a fine line between seminal musicianship and horrific noise.

With the earth-shaking sound coming from the stage, Brixton Academy will want to get a structural survey done after tonight. Finishing with an encore that includes the anthemic 'Romantic Rights', its been a gig of past, present and future. Old material has been lovingly received by the crowd, yet new songs equally have gone down well. Above all, it's proof that a band who not so long ago questioned whether they should even be playing together, has a renewed purpose and a long and bright future ahead of them.

Death From Above 1979 played:
Turn It Out
Right On, Frankenstein!
Virgins
Cheap Talk
You're a Woman, I'm a Machine
Go Home, Get Down
White Is Red
Trainwreck 1979
Crystal Ball
Dead Womb
Going Steady
Gemini
Little Girl
Government Trash
Always On
Encore:
Pull Out
Romantic Rights
The Physical World