Kyla La Grange live @ Scala, London

Scala, the home of every band on the cusp of something bigger. You succeed at Scala and the world of KOKO, Shepherds Bush and so much more is available to you. It’s London’s proving grounds and rightly so, it’s in the heart of King’s Cross, the entry point of the city to so many. Tonight, it’s Kyla La Grange’s turn to attempt to shine and after hauntingly wonderful shows at the likes of Village Underground, supported by full band and an array of foliage on stage; you can’t help but feel momentum is on her side.

Sadly the show never sold out and the album, as enjoyable as it was, didn’t make a huge dent on the music world, but that doesn’t stop the almost thousand strong assembled bustling with excitement; they liked the record and once Bombay Bicycle Club meets General Fiasco group Story Books have warmed the crowd up with a series of endearingly fun tracks, the stage is set.  Originally from Watford, not too far from KX London, and having played her first show with her band as a support artist at this very venue, Kyla La Grange almost feels at home here and its that confidence that takes over her usually shy demeanor.

Of course, the nerves are still there as she’s a naturally quite shy performer, but with a microphone or trademark Gretsch guitar in hands she almost becomes an alter ego of herself.
 
Tracks like Been Better sound huge in rooms like this and album opener Walk Through Walls’ powerful refrain of “get up, get up, get up” incidentally gets people up and moving.  Anyone who doubted Ashes’ properties as an album that translated live has their fears put to rest and La Grange looks more and more comfortable as ringleader of the still foliage and light heavy stage as time goes on.

Giving air to new track Lyssa in the encore alongside usual set closer Catalyst which almost has a Mumford style sing-along feel alongside La Grange’s personal yet mysterious lyrics, the night feels like its come to its natural and enjoyable conclusion. It may not have been perfect as Kyla La Grange needs more material to really shine but after years of progress you finally feel that she’s proved the point that she’s here to stay.

Braden Fletcher

Competition: Win Two Tickets to Kyla La Grange in London

We're fans of Kyla La Grange here at Sound Influx. The dark-pop songstress has been on many of our individual speakers for months now since the likes of the gorgeous Vampire Smile and Walk Through Walls (below) made it into our ears for the first time.
Right now, she's on tour and will be playing her biggest headline show to date in London at Scala this coming Tuesday. We've been given a pair of tickets to give away to one lucky Sound Influx reader and all you have to do email bradenfif@live.com (that's me) with the subject as SCALA LA GRANGE and include your name and number and we'll get in touch with you if you win. Remember to tell your friends to maximise your chances of winning and tweet/share this post around.
The competition closes at 7pm on Monday and you will be informed by 9pm, 24 hours before she takes to the stage.
Good luck



Braden Fletcher

Little Comets - Live @ Scala 26/04/12

So it’s come to this. After years of promoting their debut album, Little Comets appear to be reaching the end of In Search Of…’s run. With the ‘Worry EP’ and the forthcoming ‘Jennifer and Other Short Stories EP’ added to their repertoire, it’s going to be another busy summer for the troupe, but thankfully not one riddled with mundane repetition.

Tonight sees them play their largest headline show in London to date at Kings Cross’ Scala and the devoted attendees tonight have sold out the 1000 capacity venue, and early too. The support act tonight are one mixed up in conflict with themselves. Whilst they may have come and gone in silence under a series of name changes (Big Sleep, Talkhouse, The Slowdown), the 1975 appear to be settled, signed (Dity Hits; General Fiasco, Little Comets) and ready to charge to the top. Songs such as The City and underground hit SEX prove that they’ve got an array of music with enough charm for the top and enough electricity to pull those heights off. Whilst the crowd may be unfamiliar with the band as a whole half hour performance, they’re willing to enjoy themselves and you’d be hard pressed not to in this atmosphere.

So it comes to Little Comets. The band who’s debut album’s singles collection stands up amongst even the toughest touring bands look like they’ve finally hit the big time here. Opening with EP track ‘Worry’, it’s clear that a large segment o of the faithful assembled this evening are completely on board regardless of what happens and when they throw the likes of ‘Adultery’ and jumpy ‘Waiting in the Shadows of the Night’’ together in their set. It’s a huge testament to the passion of both fans and band how well the night goes as even weaker songs on the record are sung by fans. Objectively, they may not sound great, possibly even in the shadows of Two Door Cinema Club still, but when the party that comes with ‘Dancing Song’ is unleashed with huge singalong track ‘One Night in October’, anyone starting to doubt becomes wrapped up in the infectious nature of Little Comets’ charm, if just for a few minutes. Of course, no LC would be complete without one girl, so ‘Joanna’ makes a standout performance in the Tynesider’s show. 

No matter what way you look at it, Little Comets are catchy and they’ve got enough material to demolish festival sets, but it’s not going to be until they’ve got a second album are they truly going to be able to conquer inside venues. Still, a valiant effort in London’s proving ground leaves those in the building happy so for now, that’ll do. 


Braden Fletcher