Live Review: The Temper Trap at Bristol Thekla – 22nd September 2009
The Temper Trap‘s debut album, Conditions, has been a slow burner of my summer. Gorgeous anthems that just stink of summer romances, I knew I had to catch them again after I was introduced to them at Radio 1’s Big Weekend in Swindon.
Taking to the stage at Bristol’s Thekla (a gorgeous floating nightclub that used to be a boat) at 9:30 sharp, they ploughed through the entirity of their debut album, full of energy and looking like they were just starting out (and hadn’t been on the road for almost a year). Things started off strongly but rather tepid with “Rest” and “Fader”, before the big hits were rolled out towards the end.
Banter was kept to a minimum from the band apart from the usual “Hello”‘s and “Thank You”‘s. Lead Singer Dougy Mandagi also took the time to introduce Jeff, a 6-foot something afro’d guy who has been at numerous Bristol gigs I’ve been to, for giving them “so much support with all that jumping”.
Closing out the main set with the triple header of “Sweet Disposition”, “Resurrection” and the “Drum Song”, they knew just what their strengths were. The pop-tastic anthemic nature of Sweet Disposition had everyone jumping to rock the boat, screaming at the top of their lungs “A moment, a love, a dream, aloud, so stay there, cause I’ll be coming over”. Sweetness indeed. Resurrection maintained this, whilst Drum Song gave everyone a chance to rock out, strobes galore, jumping all over the shop, hair flying around the place. This is what music should be – fun, memorable, and meaningful. Amazing.
After the jump: Photos and setlist
Setlist:
Rest
Fader
Fools
Down River
Love Lost
Soldier On
Sweet Disposition
Resurrection
Drum Song
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Science of Fear
One Response
3rd January 2010
[…] and the best of the rest: 4) The Temper Trap at Bristol’s Thekla – Tuesday 22nd September 5) Bloc Party at Reading Rivermead – Friday 30th October and […]