“So, uhh, it’s been a while” says a commonly interactional Richard Archer. The crowd clearly agree, playfully shouting back at him. Meanwhile, since the band’s last released material back in 2008, the Staines quartet have been rather quiet. The likelihood is that they’ve been preparing for tonight though as a rowdy, beer-holding crowd are desperate for new material.
Archer and his collective encourage the crowd, shaking their triumphant fists as they take to the somewhat make-shift stage at Brighton’s little-known Jam. They instantly roll into the set-opener ‘Tied Up Too Tight’ briskly followed by ‘Bring It On’, a Clash-like newbie with pop habits. Sky Sports listeners may be particularly familiar with the track, as it’s been commonly featured on their channels of late.
The crowd’s rapturous applause must have brushed away the cobwebs as if the band had never been away. Despite Archer claiming they may not have been ‘match fit’ when playing new songs that were slightly raw, the adoring crowd are appeared oblivious as the night slowly but surely gathers pace into a passionate shout-fest. It is ‘Sweat’ and ‘Stay Alive’ in particular that are the pick of the bunch of Archer’s new gems.
‘Sweat’ takes the band back to their routes, successfully embracing disco and pop-rock without sounding like a tribute to Rihanna and Scouting For Girls. ‘Stay Alive’, on the other hand is a typically bold, catchy number not a million miles away from the likes of Kasabian or even Two Door Cinema Club. The track has been worked on with Greg Kirsten (producer for the likes of Take That Lily Allen ) and that in combination for Archer’s superb eye for a classic ‘Lad-rock’ banger could make ‘Stay Alive’ a career-defining moment.
The best thing about Hard-Fi though, is that Archer simply knows how to treat an audience. You don’t earn a reputation for being one Britain’s best live outfits by being statue-esque and numb. They are talkative, responsive appreciative, and regularly partake in cheeky banter with the fans. The band energetically bow out for the evening with the culture defining ‘Living For The Weekend’ and Archer screaming excitedly into the crowd ‘It feels great to be back!’. Hard-Fi seem to be back with an almighty bang.
Hard-Fi
Jam
Tuesday 19th April 2011
Words by Callum O’Leary
