The Good Natured / Dear Leaders
Posted on 9th December 2011
Bristol Thekla
December 3rd, 2011
Local electro outfit Dear Leaders kick off the top deck gig, opening with an ambient room-filling number which sounds suitably nautical, like the gentle lapping of waves. Stark snares punctuate the ambience and the duo apologize for the use of a drum machine: “We have a real drummer... sometimes...” But they needn't worry, the contrast between floating synth pads and punchy drums works flawlessly. They experiment with noise, crafting sparse dreampop to more standard indie, peppered with synth bursts. Gold, a folk-tinged track with heartbeat drums and country guitar riffs, bleeds desperation. The haunting calm of Jess Whelligan's vocals transcends the atmosphere of the room, sounding more like a voice inside your head than a singer on a stage.
The Good Natured are steadily becoming the word on everyone's lips, with BBC Introducing and Radio One taking particular interest. Self-described as 'pop-noir', the sprightly Berkshire group's gothic take of synth-pop has been making waves abroad, as they have just finished a European tour and performed at world renowned SXSW festival, in the US, earlier this year. It's a surprise then, that the Thekla isn't spilling fans onto the streets as people struggle to find space- it's quite the opposite. A scant forty (give or take) have braved the frostbitten weather to watch the riotous spectacle.
Appearing fashionably late to the stage, Sarah McIntosh (vocals/synths/other random instruments) introduces the band before rushing headlong into opener and recent free download Video Voyeur. If this sparkling new track is any sign of things to come, then the debut album will be a serious contender for the top chart positions. They have an innate knack for mammoth pop choruses in the vein of ABBA, and second song Be My Animal is no exception. Chopped and messy, the stop-start vocals reflect a primal urge within the song. McIntosh writhes on the floor, dancing like an animal through the crowd and strutting with confidence. The stage presence shown by the fledgling singer is astounding and she captures the room's attention in an instant with little effort.
Fan favourites Wolves and Skeleton are impeccable. The entire crowd dance freely, unabashed and with genuine looks of glee smeared on their faces- this is more of a house party than a gig. Sequins fly off floor toms and red lights illuminate the stage decorations (vintage lamps and chintzy rugs) which make the top deck look like home- the night feels like The Good Natured are playing in a living room to their nearest and dearest. There's nothing better than the intimacy of a small gig and the energy from the band is intense as they play from the heart for everyone there tonight.
-Laurence Day
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