Last night, Liverpool's STONE delivered a set that was less a concert and more a concentrated blast of post-punk energy at The Elephant’s Head in Camden and it was all free. The intimate venue, with a designated performance space barely four metres square, became an instant sweatbox as the band launched into a performance that permitted neither the audience nor the performers a moment's respite.
From the opening notes, the tone for the evening was established. There were no slow numbers, no drawn-out introductions, and no room for deliberation; the delivery was thick and fast, a relentless torrent of sound. Lead vocalist Fin Power commanded the tight stage with flamboyant energy, launching immediately into the first track 'Waste' and sustaining a high-velocity pace that defined the entire hour. Power was perpetually in motion, often touching the ceiling of the low-slung room in an attempt to transcend the physical limitations of the venue.
The set was a comprehensive display of the band’s sharp, guitar-driven sound, heavily featuring material from their recent releases and their forthcoming second album, Autonomy. The new single, 'MONKEY SEE MONKEY DO,' was a particular highlight. It arrived as a gritty, unfiltered shot of modern indie-rock, demonstrating the band’s ability to combine an ear-worm melody with lyrics that confront temptation and the chaos of the scene. Its performance was taut and restless, inciting the mosh pit. Bassist Sarah Surrage and drummer Alex Smith formed a precise, driving rhythm section, allowing guitarist Elliot Gill to execute his brash, angular lines with conviction.
The anthemic 'I Gotta Feeling' solidifies their reputation as a band who articulate the frustrations and hopes of their younger audience. The band thrives in this environment; the proximity to the crowd is a feature, not a challenge, fostering a sense of community that the band frequently references.
In an unexpected, yet characteristically irreverent, moment mid-set, the full-throttle pace briefly fractured when Power broke into an impromptu chorus of Robbie Williams’ 'Angels.' This momentary shift was indicative of the band’s theatrical flair before they instantly slammed back into their own material, the sheer velocity of the show never truly suffering a dent. The final songs, including the closing, early single 'Leave It Out' left the audience in no doubt they had witnessed a worthy performance.
A compelling, must-see live act. STONE’s appeal lies not just in their polished, energetic records, but in the raw, unadulterated delivery of their material in a live setting. Get down to see them as soon as you can.
