Band:
Kid Symphony Venue:
Fibbers, York, UK Date:
8 February 2004
After walking in half way through the first support band AKP (check them
out if you like Muse, we were well impressed). Then having to endure the
most atrocious excuse for music in the shape of ‘The Hair’, at last the
band we really come along tonight to see were about to hit the stage.
Hailing from Leeds, Kid Symphony were last seen by us making their debut
into the limelight on tour with Electric 6. Their aim tonight as
headliners was to rock our little socks off with their magical blend of
mega watt guitars, scrumptious good looks, and combined with a generous
serving of infectious tunes thrown in for good luck. They came to dazzle
and dazzle is exactly what they did.
Based around the two lead singer/guitarists Chris Langdon and Pete Denton,
the band really knows how to make the right impression. The bands full on
power and totally addictive songs had us all drooling at the mouth and
begging for more when we saw them supporting Electric 6.
There’s not many
bands can brag that they blew the headliner off the scene but this is
something Electric 6 appeared to do on that particular tour. Sure
Electric 6 were fab, but compared to these unknown’s, well there really
was just no comparison. It was the name Kid Symphony that was on
everyone’s lips that night after the gig, the whole place was positively
buzzing with excitement about them.
And so here we find ourselves standing in a venue we’ve had a love/hate
relationship with ever since it was taken over. We used to love it, but
then Barfly took over and for some strange reason every time we’ve come
here since it’s been full of pig ignorant trendy students who wouldn’t
know a decent band if they came and smacked them in the face. It was
touch and go whether we’d come tonight, but then we remembered how
wondrous the band were at the gig in Newcastle and we simply couldn’t
resist.
It’s hard to describe Kid Symphony and their music. At both the gigs
we’ve seen them perform to date they’ve burst onto the stage in a vibrant
explosion of boundless energy. The songs are so lively they come at you
200 miles an hour one minute, grabbing you by the throat and dragging you
off your feet. Then the next they settle you back down so you can catch
your breath again. Much like the two lead singers, whatever the mood
there’s no mistaking these songs demand to be heard and enjoyed by all who
hear them.
Starting their set tonight with ‘Live on a High’, the band bounded
purposefully on to the stage and were eager to show the audience that the
entrance money was more than worth the show they were about to see before
their fevered eyes. Indeed there were already more than a few eager
star-struck fans pressed hard against the barriers before the band even
stepped foot onstage.
The atmosphere in the venue tonight was a mixture of excitement and
anticipation of what lay ahead. The band knew it, we knew it, and boy
were they about to light the touch paper to really set this place alight.
My two favourite tracks to date by the band (hey it’s still early days!),
are ‘Never been a rock Star’ and ‘Hands on the Money’. Both absolutely
bursting with life, and with more zest in them than a grocer’s stall of
juicy oranges! If these two tracks don’t have you going mental and
singing along then quite frankly my dear someone better call a doctor
because it would seem you’re long gone.
The set included the lazy hazy sound of ‘She lives in New York City’.
Perhaps the band were giving us an insight into Chris’s time spent in New
York, who knows? An almost calmingly reflective song, its gentle melodic
rock nature helps it straddle the line between rock and indie pop just
perfectly. Whatever, or should I say whoever, influenced this particular
track, this will be one of those tracks that think will really stand the
test of time. ‘Meet you on the other Side’ is a totally different kettle
of fish. Sounding more like the illicit love-child of T-Rex meets The
Beatles.
I truly hope Island Records know what total gems they have in these two
guys because with a bit more push and a lot more publicity, the sky really
is the limit for these two ‘Rock Stars’. The guys might be singing …’
I’ve always played guitar but I’ve never been a rock star’ … now, but very
soon I foresee these chaps being mega.
I may not be convinced with all this … let’s release a vinyl single
instead of a CD single, it’s gonna be way cool … way of thinking. Hey I
had vinyl's when I was younger and yeh they were OK, but try playing one of
them in the car on your way to work! I think perhaps choosing this as the
format for the first release for their debut single may not have done them
any favours, but with songs so groovy as these, I’m sure we’ll learn to
forgive them.
Go see them now and be a part of this truly magnificent band in the
making. I love them to bits and would even go as far as to suffer the
torments at a trendy student bar just to see the band perform live again.
Hopefully though they’ll be leaving these dives behind and will be living
it up in much bigger, more prestigious venues in the very near future.
I’ll be there for sure, will you?
Setlist Included:
1. Live on a High
2. I wouldn’t be with you if you paid Me
3. Meet you on the other Side
4. She lives in New York City
5. Never been a rock Star
6. Underqualified
7. Hands on the Money
8. Flying with Spaceships
