HOWLING BELLS @ ISLINGTON ACADEMY, LONDON 09/02/09
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Artist:
Howling Bells are back, but with extra layers of synth. O2’s Islington Academy played host to the Australian four-piece, as they showcased their up-coming second album release; Radio Wars.Despite a few festival appearances last summer the band led by Juanita Stein have been somewhat incognito since presenting us with their self titled last album in 2006. But on the 9th February it was clear that their fans hadn’t deserted them as they sauntered out to face a capacity Islington Academy, full of expectant fans both old and new.
Howling Bells instantly held the crowd by opening with oldie; ‘Blessed Night’. This was soon followed by ‘Setting Sun’, which owing to Stein’s un-tuned guitar kept stopping and starting. Despite this minor technical glitch, which resulted in angry glares at the stage from the sound man, Howling Bells managed to satisfy the crowd by playing old songs such as ‘Low Happening’ and ‘Wishing Stone’ which kept the crowd happy alongside tracks from their latest album.
Howling Bells new single ‘Cities Burning Down’ was a distinct winner. Presented as an almost pre-cursor to Radio Wars it can only be described as a melancholic anthem, so atmospheric in sound it smothered the audience like an intense hug. This complete with Stein’s sultry vocals effortlessly caught the breath of the entire crowd.
Juanita Stein’s poor antipodean banter in betweensets did little to match-up to her overwhelming stage presence whilst performing. It was hard to ignore how she sashayed round the stage in electric blue sequins, captivating both the male and female members of the audience. Like a female Dorian Gray, she left the crowd mesmerised.
Howling Bells encored with a cover of Britney Spears’ Toxic, which received a mixed reaction from the audience with some questioning the need as it was neither fresh nor creative. Despite this, Howling Bells successfully avoided the risk of alienating their loyal fan base, by sticking with their distinctive, krautrock old sound. But, with the added aspect of synth confirming their evolution they guaranteed the inevitability of new followers and assured success.
By Allison Mulimba
Photo by Ollie Millington
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