esOterica / Forever Never
13 September 2009
Shepherds Bush Empire
The Shepherds Bush Empire was a very bold choice of venue for esOterica to book for the launch gig for their second album The Riddle. Unsurprisingly none of the balconies are open tonight, but although we’re hardly squashed for space, there was a reasonable turn out enjoying openers The Fury as we entered the venue.
The Fury won this opening slot in an online competition and all credit to esOterica for offering this opportunity. It did however explain the mismatch of styles, with The Fury playing a classic rock sound. Actually they were rather good, which was the binding factor of the three acts tonight, and we’re left kicking ourselves that we didn’t catch more than the closing song.
I was surprised to note that it’s nearly two years since we last caught Forever Never. In a strange coincidence they were sitting in the same middle slot on a bill at that time, opening for Panic Cell who were also celebrating the release of their second album. Continuing the parallels, Forever Never were once again hugely impressive. Seemingly oblivious to the sparse gathering, the Essex five piece confidently powered through a seven song set. Frontman Renny Carroll possesses a fantastic voice and blessed with a top notch sound tonight, every word he sang was clear. Bassist Kevin Yates was particularly energetic, bounding around the stage and barely looking at his fret board as he pulled off some difficult bass runs.
The best two songs from Forever Never’s debut album Aporia were aired, but it’s the songs from their more recent self titled effort that impressed most. The better material on that album is loaded in its first half and that’s where the band concentrate tonight. Certainly if album number three can consistently match the quality of the closing punches of Never Enough and Empty Promises then it could be something special.
Forever Never set list:
Broken Kingdom / T.I.T.S. / Aporia / Eradicated / As I Lie / Never Enough / Empty Promises
I’d grown very fond of esOterica’s debut album The Fool and it was with trepidation that I pressed play on acquiring follow up The Riddle. Would it live up to expectations? Well thankfully the answer is yes and over the few days leading up to this gig after the albums release I’ve hit play a few times more.
The energetic Scream makes for both a great album and gig opener and those not yet familiar with The Riddle are quickly made to feel welcome by The Fool favourite Life Is Lonely. Frontman Tobias Keast threw glow sticks into the crowd, asking us if we knew how to party as The Fool followed. On their album’s esOterica marry energy with an introspective side, however tonight they appeared to be taking a harder edge with the rocky Manimal keeping the pace up.
Keast took time to thank those in attendance tonight, noting that they don’t usually have turn outs of this size in the UK. Contemplating the crowd size, yes we were somewhat light in terms of the size of this venue, however had this gig been in The Borderline or The Garage it would have certainly been cosier. The video footage taken will certainly be more impressive from the Shepherds Bush stage and the band can now say they have headlined this venue. On the down side however, whilst the audience was receptive, it was not the same as a packed venue and does leave some awkward silences and the odd nervous moment.
However, with the band’s cover of Delerium’s Silence, things really seemed to click into gear with the sound becoming richer and esOterica easing into their stride. A run of songs from the new album peaks with The Empire Of Eyes with Keast adding flute and his brother Luke’s drum kit atmospherically twinkling with fairy lights. Inflatable pink rabbits were thrown into the crowd during Watch This Drive which led us to each albums big single. Latest single Tomorrow I Won’t Remember is catchy as hell and had the crowd jumping up and down as grim reapers bounced around at the back of the stage on running stilts. The energy was kept high with Don’t Rely On Anyone, at which point the main set was due to wrap up. With time to slip in an extra song, Keast suggested Exposed was added to the set list, since he likes playing it. A bit like a cool down after a work out, esOterica returned to wrap things up with a laid back performance of Miranda & The Tempest with Luke Keast on bongos.
As an album launch evident this can definitely be judged as a success and it’s to be hoped that esOterica’s upward trajectory will deservedly eventually see them filling this venue.
esOterica set list:
Scream / Life Is Lonely / The Fool / Manimal / Samples / Silence / Chemicals / The Empire Of Eyes / Fill Me With Love / Watch This Drive / Tomorrow I Won’t Remember / Don’t Reply On Anyone / Exposed / Miranda & The Tempest
LINKS:
esOterica
Forever Never
The Fury
|
