Day 2 of HOSTESS CLUB WEEKENDER in Tokyo holds a very different atmosphere to that of Day 1: it’s sold out and it shows, with the expansive hall packed solid to the doors and the crowd charged from the get go, ready for opening act BRITISH SEA POWER. The indie six-piece (performing as a five-piece for this event) from Brighton open their set with the exuberant tones of “Machineries of Joy,” the single from their latest effort of the same name, and the audience respond with a raucous applause.
The group proceed to play a confident and impressive set, full of their hits as well as treating fans to a total of three new tracks from their latest album, which was released in April this year to largely positive reviews.
British Sea Power have been around for the last ten years and have thus had time to build up a considerable and dedicated following, some fans hanging on since the release of their first album “The Decline of British Sea Power” in 2003. They’ve received bountiful praise from prestigious publications for their efforts, and have certainly proven themselves to be a band worthy of such extensive recognition.
Their sound is fairly mainstream rock at times, however the presence of Abi Fry on electric viola contributes an element of contemporary elaboration to their sound, and their unconventional lyrics add a unique element. Their live performance is not particularly captivating, with there being little movement on the part of band members, however it seems their music is well-known enough to attract an appreciative, but standardly quiet, audience.
The group closes the set with an epic jammed-out version of “All In It,” and it’s at this point the band really seem to hit their stride, the lead vocalist Yan Wilkinson finally getting the crowd worked up with his rockstar squeals and guitar throws. It’s during this finale that guitarist Martin Noble attempts an epic stage dive that lasts all of ten seconds, which must have been disappointing considering he’s put goggles on and everything. To redeem himself, he proceeds to do a handstand on stage, the whole scene lapped up by the crowd.
British Sea Power are touring extensively for the rest of the year, set to play Austria and Germany later this month.