Freeland

Its been a long time since Freeland's debut album which just makes the anticipation for his follow up even greater. Having the 'Album Launch Party' two months before it's due for release still seems a little premature though. Joining Adam Freeland on stage are Kurt Baumann (guitars, bass) and Hayden Scott (drums) who give what would normally be a DJ set a new rockier edge.



Opening with atmospheric synths, staccato guitars keep it choppy till the drums come in, slowly building the atmosphere up. 'Mancry' nicely defines the start of the set cutting away from Alex Metric's warm-up DJ set. Having filled out the room, the crowd was mixed with people up for a party and quite a few chinstrokers out to hear what new album 'Cope' was going to be like. Next song 'Morning Sun' kicks in with Adam's jagged synths balanced by Kurt now playing bass. The mix of live-band breakbeat has the easy comparison to UNKLE after 'War Stories' but the influences from newer electro / house gives Freeland's tunes a more upbeat attitude. Staying with the same varied genre-jumping mixture that you'd expect from him, the next couple of songs add in some hip-hop vocals, distorted hooks and more rock attitude. Playing unheard before songs is always a struggle but the crowd kept dancing along and having a good time.

Breaking back into older material, 'We want your Soul' and 'Burn the Clock' still sound as fresh as they did five years ago. The Bill Hicks vocal sample, phasing synths and punchy drumming even gets the chin-strokers in the crowd dancing. It also gives a chance for Kurt to show of his rock star credentials. For his first time in the UK, it looks like he is at home on stage no matter where he is.



Finishing off the set with a cover of Grinderman's 'No Pussy Blues', Adam came out from behind his keyboards singing. Not quite as chaotic as Nick Cave's screaming, but the catchy electro lines make it fit well for the dance floor. Without having to trigger samples he seems far more relaxed at the front of the stage interacting with the crowd.

At just under an hour, the set seemed a little too short but playing more old material from 'Now and Then' may have detracted attention from the new songs. This was a gig for people wanting a good night out, not just standing and watching a band play.

Setlist:

Mancry
Morning Sun
Do You
Strange Things
We Want Your Soul
Burn The Clock
Under Control
Borderline
No Pussy Blues

FUTURE GIGS

sorry, we currently have no gigs listed for this act.