Sleigh Bells at The Academy on February 27th 2012
Review: Justin McDaid
Photos: Alessio Michelini
It was the turn of The Academy to play host to New York band Sleigh Bells after their sell-out Whelan’s show last February. Their latest offering Reign Of Terror picks up where Treats left off, but bigger, louder and brasher – this was definitely not the night to forget your earplugs. Dublin quartet Le Galaxie kicked off the night with a blistering, cohesive set from their Laserdisc Nights album. The pockets of people milling around the floor were soon unified by the rolling beats of their first tune, and if the crowd weren’t quite dancing yet the band more than made up for it with the singer and bass player bouncing all over the stage. I can’t tell if their set was short and snappy or if it was just a case of time flies when you’re having fun, but their shiny synth sounds and handclap-heavy rhythms got things simmering nicely, with ‘Beyond Transworld’ a particular high point. There were cowbells. There were shakers. A wild glowstick appeared at one point. And I’m sure it’s an unwritten rule of rock that when a drummer has a clear acrylic drumkit he has to keep a goldfish in the floor tom. Sort it lads.
The stage for the main act is barebones save for the Marshall stacks standing sentry at the back, which tells you everything you need to know before hearing Sleigh Bells. Guitarist Derek Miller and singer Alexis Krauss, joined by a second guitarist, tore into a short and raucous ‘True Shred Guitar’, and didn’t let up for the rest of the set. No messing about here. ‘Born To Lose’ with its relentless tom and bass drum attack and crunch guitar followed and by the third song – ‘Run The Heart’ or ‘Riot Rhythm’; they sound alike and I should have paid more attention. She’s distracting, y’know? – everyone is punching the air. The crowd is seriously hopping for ‘A/B Machines’ whilst Krauss snakes around the stage throughout, looking and dancing like a cheerleader gone bad. The guitarists leave her alone for ‘Kids’ and you have to wonder – if the entire band walked offstage and just played the backing tracks would you even realise they were gone, making up as they do the bulk of the songs. The twin guitars sound great though and at times it felt like we were in Fucking Champs territory, and that’s only a good thing.
‘Comeback Kid’ seems to be a crowd favourite, while girl-band flavoured ‘Leader of the Pack’ adds some nice melodic ear candy. ‘Infinity Guitars’ ends the set. LOUDLY. Krauss leads the encore alone for ‘Rill Rill’ before climbing up on the barrier to shout at the balcony folk “Are you alive up there!?” A quick crowd surf ensues before the guitarists reclaim her for the stage for ‘Demons’ and ending the set with – what else – a powerful, ear-bleeding ‘Crown On The Ground’. Another quick crowd surf for good measure before bedtime, and with a “mwah!” she was gone. So that was that, a great night with two short, dynamic sets from both bands that rang in the ears long after the fact.
Sleigh Bells Image Gallery
Photos: Alessio Michelini
