Photo Credit: / Words: Izzy Hayden
Whether you’ve heard their hits like “Would You Rather Be Lonely,” seen them on festival bills or just heard their name mentioned, over the last few years it’s been almost impossible for anyone in the music scene to miss Red Rum Club. Taking to the 02 Forum Kentish Town’s stage and packing out the venue, it’s clear. This band are quickly on their way to the top.
While the room begins to fill with amped up fans, Cherryholt open the night. While it’s their first show back after illness within the band, you would never be able to tell. Their Indie-pop tracks like ‘Irrisitable’ and ‘The Bullet’ are bright and uplifting, the sort of music you’d blast in the middle of summer and frontman Reuben Baskerville’s vocals are delicate one moment, loud and powerful the next. Although a very different vibe, the second support act, a Scottish Folk-Punk band Brogeal don’t disappoint. Their energy is infectious, as they wave to the audience to up the energy.
Already blessed by two unreal bands, fans stand in excited anticipation as the lights drop and their iconic trumpet begins. Stage lit up bright red, all 6 members prance out, frontman Fran Doran walks up and down pointing at the crowd and sending screams across the venue.
As ‘American Nights & English Mornings’ a song made for dancing’s cheery riffs and thrilling beat open’s their set, Doran immediately brings an intoxicating energy not standing still for even a second and he carries that vibe throughout the entire set. It’s only the beginning of the gig and everyone is ecstatic, even those sitting on the balcony sprinting up and getting lost in the music.
Their newest track ‘Any Minute Now’ sees them moving into a new era but still bringing all the charm and fuzzy joy they are loved for. You’d think by now we’d be used to the trumpet in their music but it still excites me being what makes their music so unique, putting them in their own niche compared to most bands within their genre and the trumpet solo ending the single is not only confident but blissful.
“This is a very special show for us” Doran begins, “for all of you to turn up means we are doing something right” he says full of thanks and he is absolutely right. Playing through hits like ‘Eleanor’ and ‘Vibrate’ but also giving the hardcore fans their fix with ‘Call Me On Your Comedown,’ ‘Honey’ and ‘Jigsaw Shores’ the radiant energy throughout the venue doesn’t drop for even a second.
Slowing things down for a moment ‘Eighteen’ feels like the calm before the storm, a moment to conserve energy before the finale. I didn’t think the crowds could be anymore hyped up but I was wrong. As stage lights flash and ‘Would You Rather Be Lonely’ begins a sea of arms fly up and people on the street would hear the delighted cheers.
Finishing on a fan favourite ‘Vanilla’ that energy continues and it’s clear why the band are so adored. Sometimes everyone needs to let go, live in the moment and just have fun and their music and stage presence are crafted especially for that.
