Live Review: Pretty Vicious’ ‘engagement, enthusiasm and raw energy’ @ Hoxton Bar & Kitchen, London


Pretty Vicious

Pretty Vicious live in New York City (Paul Bachmann / Live4ever)




Pretty Vicious may have been in a phase of transition as their long-awaited debut album finally gets ready for release through Big Machine/John Varvatos Records next year, but Merthyr Tydfil’s authentic rockers have definitely been making the most of things before the big event.

With diary commitments stretching around the UK, the release of their single and video for Move and appearances at some of Britain’s summer festivals all combined with shows in America, the band have maintained a buzz around their music despite a lengthy lay-off, their announcement of second single Are You Entertained only helping to keep the fires burning. Recent live shows in New York and Nashville, and appearances on American radio stations, have also done some good in growing their fanbase in the States.

This sold-out show in Hoxton, London serves to highlight the band’s status in the best way possible. Despite some initial sound issues vaguely affecting the first two songs of the set, they recover quickly, get settled and reinstate the energy, presence and live sound their fans are so used to and have come to immerse themselves in; when the beginning of Blister is heard through the PA, a mosh-pit has already formed. Dressed in black; skinny jeans, a long-sleeved tee and trainers, frontman Brad delivers his recognisable snarling vocals and performance with swagger and confidence.

‘How are we, are we not tired yet? This song is about smashing up the venue’, he cries out – it’s clearly time for These Four Walls. The song was released last year and, despite showing a softer, more tender side to the band, when played live it transcends its recorded identity and becomes entirely ‘rock’, projecting nothing but raw and intense vibes.

National Plastics sees the moshing circle intensify, which peaks during the band’s anthem Cave Song. Having Brad introduce the upcoming single Are You Entertained serves to electrify the crowd still more, the sound of an established band with a real grasp of what makes their crowd tick. Yet it’s worth bearing in mind that Pretty Vicious are still just in their early twenties, it being easy to forget that when seeing them play live they display a sound beyond their years.

Youthful arrogance has always been one of Pretty Vicious’ trademarks, and it should definitely continue to be so as it describes their identity, attitude and outlook perfectly.

The ongoing view on this raw and intense rock being even more accustomed to American audiences compared with their British ones is kept alive and resurfaces on a regular basis in music circles, but their live shows in the UK have certainly never been short of engagement, enthusiasm or raw energy, and the band’s performance here is testament to that.

(Susan Hansen)


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