04 March 2013 (gig)
18 March 2013
The intimate underground dive that is London's legendary 100 Club seems an ideal place for (the brilliantly named) Palma Violets to entertain their fans. Fresh from scooping this year's NME best band award and unleashing their debut album, plenty of hype precedes them for tonight's free Converse gig.
But the band seem to be taking it in their stride. Having just one album to pick from, they bash out a predictable set including Best of Friends, Step Up for the Cool Cats and Last of the Summer Wine – and throw in a Hare Krishna chant. It all sounds on trend, if a little half-baked in parts, and culminates in a baying front row invading the stage, pictured, for a glorious scene of sweat, youth and passion for live music.
On the downside, as the new kids on the block, Palma Violets have fallen into a void left by their indie elders. And there's plenty to be said for their much-mentioned Libertines synergies, accentuated by guitarists Alexander 'Chilli' Jesson and Samuel Thomas Fryer sharing vocal duties; it's a label, whether deserved or not, likely to stick.
However, it's not a mantel to take lightly. Palma Violets' rough, fervent performance – drummer William Doyle isn't afraid to get out of his seat – stirs up tonight's crowd effortlessly, suggesting it's doubtful they'll be playing for these numbers much longer… unless, of course, they have any 'living room shows' up their sleeve.
Splashh and MT provided support.
