When I ask the people around me if they know the TV show Skins, more than 90% of the people that do know it will admit they have never watched seasons 5, 6 and 7. And to that, I would like to say: Big Mistake! First of all, it would be for the story; but mainly, I would argue with most of them on that because of one band. One band that made me enjoy going to gigs when I was giving up on going. One band that made me love small venues. One band that made me enjoy music again. This band? Dog Is Dead - or D.I.D.
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| Facebook.com / DIDnotts • by franklynbanks |
Last night, Dog is Dead were in London for a date they added to their originally two-night UK-tour which was sold out. They were in Electrowerkz, in London, and so was I; and the venue was absolutely amazing. Cozy, with Christmas decorations all around and a van-bar in the middle of the waiting room, small enough to feel privileged but big enough to jump all around the place, Electrowerkz is the place to go for gigs; a place to enjoy the pre-show just as much as the show. I have been to quite a lot of venues in my life, but this one definitely goes straight to my top 3. My top 1? With Dog is Dead as well, a couple of years ago, on a boat, in Paris.
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| Dog Is Dead in Paris - 18/03/13 |
When I bought my ticket to go to the show, I knew I would spend a great night. The reason? The band's music, obviously, but not only. The people who take time to talk to them quickly instead of jumping on them for pictures would know that the band is not only authentic on stage, but also backstage. These guys are so genuine and nice that it is hard not to want to hug them and thank them for being amazing musicians. To thank them for being so accessible - because, let's admit it, this is becoming rare. Dog is Dead are the kind of bands that you can meet in the street half an hour before the beginning of their show and ask them directions to the venue. They are the kind of guys who will drink in the same room as you, watch the supporting act with the rest of the audience, wait after the gig to see if people want to talk to them. They are so accessible that it is hard not to love them. But enough on their personalities...
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| Dog Is Dead in London - 2/12/14 |
Once they arrived on stage, the magic happened. The British charm worked on me once again; in appearance a bit nervous and embarrassed to be up there, once they play the first note of each song, the five shy tall guys on the stage who look afraid to talk or look at their audience change into five artists who fill the room with their confident art. Songs after songs, words after words, the public went from hundreds of individuals who did not know each other to a big group of friends. Songs after songs, the five men on stage became part of this group of friends as well. There was no barrier, no limit to the share of passion for the music. The audience was living and loving the music along with Dog Is Dead, who shared their passion, power and emotions they put in their songs with this group of friends the show had created. In my opinion, that's what makes a band authentic and unique. And while old and new songs were mixed together, the audience was enjoying each of them the same way. Singing, shouting, laughing, jumping; when the audience sings along to the song that you wrote and interact with you as much as they can, this is a sign that you made a wonderful job as a performer.
And then the moment for the last song was there. The lights were about to go on again and the big group of friends that had been formed was about to split into five men on a stage and their audience of hundreds of individuals who did not know each other. And the five men on stage would become be part of the hundreds of individuals soon enough. That moment when everyone finds strategies to go the the cloakroom and the toilets before everyone else had arrived. The time go back to the cold of London was about to come. The moment for these five artists to leave the stage was there. And when people almost jumped on stage to get the song lists of the show, I was left there happy but sad at the same time, with only one word in mind that I couldn't stop repeating. Already?
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Dog is Dead in London - 2/12/14
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But I am not objective when writing this review. Dog is Dead is one of my favourite bands. Their indie sound makes me want to dance in the middle of the street during a rainy day when their personalities make me want to become their best friend. They bring people close together, give us the opportunity to meet new people, new partners in crime and are the nicest band mates I have ever met. Wow!
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Usually, I enjoy writing about the first act as much as I enjoy writing about the main band. But this time, I won't spend more than this paragraph. The first act, who was musically good, was so arrogant - in my opinion - that about 25% of the audience took a break from them at some point. As one of those people, I can't tell you their name... Thank God!
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| Last night's venue |
If you want to know more about this band, you can follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. And here is Dog Is Dead website.
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You can follow me on Twitter: @ EmilieHrrmnn - and on Instagram: @ frenchiefringeblog*
HAVE A GOOD DAY :)
