Gross Magic, Corn Exchange
In an unlucky twist of fate, Gross Magic’s Sam McGarrigle lost his voice two days before his group’s major Great Escape appearance, second on the bill to Mystery Jets. It came back and held, just, throughout the show, which saw the Brighton band win over a fair wodge of the busy crowd. Gross Magic’s set sensibly picked the highlights from the warped pop of last year’s ‘Teen Jamz’ EP, but their lengthy rabble-rousing closing number proved McGarrigle’s songwriting skills are developing apace. (SH)
Mystery Jets, Corn Exchange
Despite being one of the biggest acts of the weekend, the crowd that filed in to see the Mystery Jets seemed indifferent, even though they’ve just released a new album. Things were not helped by recurrent feedback during the first few tracks. The atmosphere was somewhat lacking until “Young Love” followed by “Two Doors Down” got the crowd buzzing and singing away, but even that took a bit of beckoning. Perhaps everyone was tired after what was a long first day, or maybe most punters only had a passing interest in the Jets. In any case, the venue became quarter-empty in the time it took the band to come back for an encore. (MY)
Spoek Mathambo, Coalition
Sub Pop’s late blooming interest in hip hop has brought some wonderful, far out signings to international attention (see Shabazz Palaces – also on the bill – and Thee Satisfaction), but Johannesburg’s Spoek Mathambo might just be the most fascinating. Sidelining his horror film schtick, Mathambo delivered his half-rapped, half-sung rhymes with a joyous bounce. His backing trio looked like an identikit college rock group, but their live interpretation of Mathambo’s beats was impressive, highlighted on a stunning rework of Joy Division’s ‘She’s Lost Control’. (SH)
St Lucia, Fitzherberts
Full credit to Brighton’s One Inch Badge for putting on their own free Great Escape party to get the festival going, even projecting highlights of the day’s performances across Church Street for those that failed to squeeze upstairs. Arriving too late for one of Pond’s many appearances (curses), I caught instead summery New York quartet St Lucia. The group’s lush dancepop lost some of its tropical gloss live, foregrounding instead the vocals and discopunk basslines. Or maybe that was just Fitzherberts’ awkward layout: St Lucia performing through an archway, about a foot below the audience. A beauty though. (SH)
Tanlines, Digital
The dark underground venue is better known for pumping out bass-heavy dance tunes in the early hours in the morning so it was interesting to hear how Tanlines’ crisp sound translated through Digital’s Funktion Ones. Quite early on, Jesse Cohen declared that the duo had been up for 24 hours and that this was the angriest he’s played – before thumping the drums harder still. Most people who came to see Tanlines were probably excited to see Cohen pawing away at his bongos; instead we were presented with a set of measly digital ones for which Jesse apologised for, “It’s times like this I wish I brought my good bongos.” As with many of the sets throughout the festival weekend, it was too short. But Tanlines’ dedication was made clear when they asked to outstay their timeslot. (MY)
We Were Evergreen, Komedia Studio Bar
Despite looking like the nicest, most charming trio from France and playing children’s instruments such as the ukulele and xylophone, Evergreen have an endearingly energetic stage presence. Their joy is dangerously infectious. This was helped by the intimate setting of Komedia’s Studio Bar, as well as Michael and William sharing drums. They seem to provide an experience that can turn anybody’s frown upside-down as they sing unashamedly of penguins and moonboots. So as everybody’s bouncing away to their simple but tight compositions, it’s hard not to be reminded of careless days of childhood – we all wish we were evergreen. (MY)
The Great Escape, Thursday 10th May 2012
Read our review of Friday here
Read our review of Saturday here
Words by Stuart Huggett and Matthew Yau
Photo by Mike Burnell
