To mark the release of Swim Deep‘s highly anticipated debut album Where The Heaven Are We, the group embarked on a short UK tour this September, following their multiple festival slots over the summer.
Forming only just back in 2011 in Birmingham, the boys have experienced a quick rise to fame in the indie music scene, after notice from the likes of NME magazine. The release of this debut album demonstrates the bands continual success at creating a carefree, summery sound, regardless of the weather outside. The recent rise of the B-Town music scene has created a springboard for many bands to jump off, catapulting Swim Deep to success after only 2 years together as a band.
The O2 Shepherd Bush created many doubts in my mind as to whether the group could create the right atmosphere in such a huge space, but they did not disappoint, creating a magical evening, with the surprise addition of Fred Macpherson (lead singer of Spector) in the audience.
As a relatively unheard of band, the first support act, Sundara Karma, surprised me with their effortless confidence in such a large venue. Their set was clean, well played and practised (after the month long tour of the UK), without losing any of it’s effortless cool. This band is definitely one to watch, with a sound that, as DIY describes it ‘nods towards Swim Deep’s pointed escapism while also latching onto a punchier, more all-rejoicing verve’.
The second support act came in the form of Wolf Alice. Although widely known that its lead singer, Ellie Rowsell, is dating Swim Deep’s lead singer, Austin Williams, the band’s talent is unquestionable, and their budding romance had little to do with the reason behind why they were chosen to support on this tour. The band played well, maintaining its pop-tingled rock sound with plenty of audience interaction, setting the crowd up for the main act.
Opening their set list with ‘Francisco‘, the band couldn’t help but set off a wave of high pitched screams from the hoards of teenage girls making up much of the audience. The band played through their set list, maintaining that feel good factor they’re well known for. The addition of a backing choir ensured that Swim Deep ended their set on a high.
During the set, Swim Deep played a cover of Cyndi Lauper’s 80’s classic ‘Girls Just Want To Have Fun‘, editing it to their own laid back style, along with a new track in collaboration with Wolf Alice, which lead to multiple stage dives into the arms of screaming girls.
Overall a fantastic performance from the band. They’re still working well after months out on the road and a hectic summer schedule, maintaining the same relaxed passion B-Town music is so known for.
