Fanfarlo
White Heat, London, June 27th 2006
So, White Heat, not exactly the bastion of twee indie pop, but just
occasionally they strike out. Take tonight. Headliners Love Is All have
drawn a sell out crowd of, well everyone and anyone. It’s a heady
mix of total geek verses total fashion, all here to worship at the white
sneakered, red tighted feet of Josephine Olausson. But that’s
not what I want to talk about. It's Fanfarlo I came for this evening.
I should perhaps point out before I go any further that I love this
band, so this may well come out slightly biased. In fact it definitely
will. Much to my joy they were moved up the bill this evening, due to
another support dropping out at the last second, so when they quietly
take to the stage the crowd is more than ready to receive them.
I'm not about to claim this band are the best live act in the world.
The first few songs come across slightly ramshackle, but a couple of
tracks in, with the guitar finely tweaked, they really come into their
own. It is a strange set up. The beats and jangles all come out of the
non specific laptop, located low on centre stage. On top of this add
a bass, guitar, trumpet and the occasional key bored and what you have
is the perfect recipe for pop heaven. Think end of summer heartbreak,
long days spent reading books in parks, or lying on your bed listening
to your favourite album. Fanfarlo take all of these and deliver them
back with clean mournful vocals, brilliant melodies and sparks of joy.
And delivery is half the battle. Although they don't go crazy onstage,
break any sound barriers or kick over any amps, they have a very strong
presence. There isn't one point during their set where my mind is left
wandering. This is, in my opinion, fall in love, take no prisoners pop
at its very best. They're out for your heart, get ready to have it stolen.
Clare Charles
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