Last week saw an utterly fantastic line up hit Dingwalls in Camden: Lower Than Atlantis, Decade and Yearbook (who we sadly missed, but by all accounts, they went down a storm). Not only are all three great bands, but they’re all great British bands, and it’s something we should all be proud of. Watford’s Lower Than Atlantis have been used to playing bigger venues, but they’ve been away for awhile, and this tour of smaller venues than they’re used to will surely ease them back into the live game before they hit Reading in a couple of weeks.
As for the show itself, the first band we catch are Bath’s Decade, who have been steadily ascending over the past couple of years. It’s incredible to see how much of an impact they make on the crowd as a relatively new band: it seems as if half the room know the words to their songs. There’s a lot of movement and it’s clear to see this is a great support slot for them. After releasing their debut album ‘Good Luck’ earlier this year and making their mark on the live circuit in the UK, it’s clear the only way is up for Decade.
However, nobody can compete with the main event tonight: Lower Than Atlantis. They’ve been away for a little while, which may explain the fantastic turnout for this show, but that’s not the only reason everyone in this room goes wild for them as they take to the stage. It’s because Lower Than Atlantis have completely and utterly stepped up their game. Whereas in the past they may have looked a little bored on stage, the opposite can be said for tonight.
Opening with new song ‘Here We Go’, the room completely explodes. Since its release, it’s gone down unbelievably well, and that’s because it’s a game changer for LTA. The song is, to put it lightly, a massive banger, and it sounds even better live than it does on the radio. But the best thing about their new direction is it seems to have injected some passion into LTA, and they seem like they’re having the best time of their lives up on that stage.
Although Dingwalls is a small, sweaty venue, tonight LTA have brought along an unbelievable, epilepsy-inducing light show. You can imagine these lights in a much bigger venue, but they work ridiculously well tonight as well, just adding to the exhilarating atmosphere. Playing hits off their previous three records, along with a B-side and a new song thrown in for good measure, tonight they can do no wrong. The highlight of the night probably comes in the form of the mighty ‘Deadliest Catch’, but it’s hard to pick one as the atmosphere is electric for the entire time.
If this is a sign of what’s to come from LTA, then we all need to get very psyched, because they are on top form. Bravo.
LAIS MW