Tuesday 9th February 2010
HMV – THE NEXT BIG THING – The Borderline
LITTLE COMETS, Goldhawks, Mirrors
It’s a cold Tuesday night here in Soho but this doesn’t stop The Borderline filling up with people coming to see the John Kennedy curated ‘Next Big Thing’. Mirrors kick things off with their 80’s infused electro-pop musings. Goldhawks are up next and rip through their set with fantastically tight two part harmonies, driving rhythm sections and cinematic, delay ridden lead guitar parts that The Edge would be proud of.
Before the headliners hit the stage, rumours circulate about the act parting ways with their label, and half way through their set the mention of “this is our next single” is preceded by “a few of you will know the folly of this but…”. The lads from Newcastle certainly don’t show any of this in their performance or maybe they were out to prove a point as they whisked their way through a tight, chirpy, hook laden set.
Their 4-part harmonies combined with percussive rhythm section make a sound that is unbelievably hard not to tap your foot to. Standout songs are ‘Adultery’, forthcoming single ‘Joanna’ and the ridiculously catchy finale of ‘Dancing song’. The question of whether or not these young Geordies will be the ‘Next big thing’ is one that the top dogs at Columbia have made their minds up on already. If they are or if they’re not, I believe they deserve to be as they certainly warmed up a very cold, drizzly Soho night with something that felt genuinely exciting.
Words: Tom Lillywhite