Nimmo And The Gauntletts play first gig of the year at Concrete

Last night Columbia Records‘ new signing Nimmo And The Gauntletts played their first show of the year -sold out no less- in the basement of Shoreditch’s Concrete. The five-piece balanced exuberance with nonchalance, clearly appreciating the attention they received but still keeping their cool.

The band still only have three singles online, and therefore it is an initial surprise that they play two of them so early on. After opening with the glitchy synths of the currently unreleased “My Only Friend”, the band drops into the dark disco vibes of “Jaded”, their current release. Everything about the track screams catchy, from Sarah Nimmo’s guitar hook to the driving force behind lines like “holy Casanova in my system”; its somewhat ominous verses and glistening choruses set the precedent for the rest of the set, which continues in an equally arresting vein. Next is “Change”, a more delicate number that is clearly not just popular with Agyness Deyn, who was so infatuated with it last year that she demanded she direct its video. Reva Gauntlett’s vocals are not only melodious but rhythmic, matching the persistent groove of the night.

The set is clearly rehearsed down to a tee, with the five piece switching instruments and working their fair complicated electric setup with the utmost fluidity. The new material is a modern take on dark electronica, and if their influences are not pervasive enough, then their inventive take on The Cure’s “A Forest” and Faithless’ “Insomnia” deftly asserts it. Their closing track “Others” is deeply passionate, fuelled no doubt by its reception: it’s clearly a crowd favourite.

2014 is already looking like Nimmo And The Gauntletts’ oyster, and as larger capacity sell-out shows are to be expected, it’s pleasing tonight to see the band enjoy their success with their friends.

“Jaded” is out now as a 2 track digital download single, available via iTunes.

Set List:

Intro
My Only Friend
Jaded
Change
Interlude
Untruth
A Forest (The Cure)/ Insomnia (Faithless) cover
All These Nights
Crestfallen
Even Feel You
Others
Outro (Sydney Charles Jaded Remix)