Promoters announced that L.A. girl group The Like were to be supported by a ‘special guest’ at the Brighton leg of their UK tour. Taking place at the seafront venue, Audio, it was revealed to be Razorlight front-man Johnny Borrell debuting his new band just hours before the gig.
After the recent regrouping of The Strokes and The Libertines back from their solo efforts and The Killers vocalist, Brandon Flowers topping the charts with his debut, it was time for another indie frontman to branch out. Three men arrived on-stage looking like they had appeared out of an American western film. Once their instruments were in-hand they were joined by a familiar looking skinny lad in a white t-shirt and black scarf and they headed straight into a song.
This was of course the singer of Razorlight, usually seen on main-stages at festivals and sold-out arenas. Throughout the five-song set there was little in the way of audience communication, not even anyway of introductions. The music was barely recognisable to Borrell’s previous work and if you hadn’t been told you would not have guessed it was the egotistical “better than Dylan” singer. There didn’t seem to be any over-excitement from the toned down audience who all enjoyed the new direction. There was less jangerly guitar pop with a nice hook, more passion and soul partnered with an Americana vibe to this project. There was no clues to the name or future of this band, or the existence of Razorlight.
The night ended with a forty minute set from the American girl-group, The Like. They played tracks from their debut album, 'Are You Thinking What I’m Thinking', as well as material from the Mark Ronson produced 'Release Me'. The four piece were energetic as they bounced around the tiny stage but they were received by a less enthusiastic crowd. Single, 'He’s Not A Boy' was the stand-out song of the evening but the rest was less inspiring and seemed to blend together a bit to easily.
The Like - Live
