Army of You 2009 review

As I stagger through the gates of The Tabernacle’s outside terrace i’m greeted by the smell of BBQ, and the sounds of laidback acoustic folk. This is War Child’s third annual 'Army Of You' concert and each year they manage to find the cream of the new wave of exciting new bands.

I’m soaked, but the recent downpour hasn’t bothered the splendid al fresco Adam Pownall and Jeremy Walmsley who are trying to convince us all that this is actually a summer’s evening in July. Nice as this is, I’m off to find the BBQ. One salute pose for a photographer and a delicious burger later and I’m in the main hall watching Crystal Fighters take to the stage. Looking like hippies and known to many as one of indie dance label Kitsuné’s hot new acts, the ‘Fighters turn their usual crisp synth sound into an energetic live performance with the added use of fruity ethnic instruments.

Tonight’s roster also reads Filthy Dukes, We Have Band and The Phenomenal Handclap Band, who are next up, and consist of about a hundred people. This band’s (really quite long) name are currently on a lot of people’s lips right now, and due to their retro uniqueness it’s easy to see why. Sounding like, oh I don’t know, The Gap Band crossed with The Go Team, and a bear, they add a funky flavour to the night and by their easy-to-remember last track 15 to 20, the place feels like ‘Frisco during the ‘summer of love’, man. Whenever that was.

Photos © Clare Nash & Louise Roberts 2009

If you haven’t seen We Have Band before, I recommend you do because they’re probably playing at a festival near you. Sounding louder than just three of them, they’ve got a multi-tasking drummer that insists on standing up all the time. Made me sweaty just watching them.

Headliners tonight The Filthy Dukes are busy boys. They do this gig stuff, put on big parties at places like Fabric and remix people like Bloc Party.

As they get stuck in to a load of their tunes you’d might recognise, the happy, drunk crowd of band kids, dance heads and Ed Simmons from the Chemical Brothers behave like they’ve forgotten it's only Wednesday night...