If five years ago, you had asked Tim Dellow and Toby L, founders of Transgressive Records, about their expectations for the fledgling imprint, the pair could not have predicted just how important their label would become.
Today, half a decade into an epic journey, Transgressive is at the forefront of what is an ever-improving collection of independent British labels. Committed to treating its artists with the respect and enthusiasm the pair felt was missing from the music industry, the label has provided the platform for a constant stream of groundbreaking bands, from The Subways and The Rakes, to The Young Knives and Johnny Flynn. The boys have also succeeded in releasing landmark albums from already established artists including The Shins, Regina Spektor and Graham Coxon.
To celebrate the fifth anniversary of a label that has released some of Clashmusic’s favourite albums of the last few years, Transgressive handpicked a selection of some of its most celebrated acts alongside its most exciting new talent, for three sold-out London gigs.
Following storming sets from London band Ox. Eagle. Lion. Man, old friends The Rakes and tweed clad favourites The Young Knives on the opening night, the second installment of Transgressive’s birthday party was headlined by Oxford quintet Foals. As a band that has consistently confounded expectation, Foals have moved away from the ‘math pop’ tag that dogged them after early releases, and mutated into a ferocious, genre-bending and genuinely exciting live act.
So it is with great anticipation that a huge crowd pours into the underground venue eager to catch a rare 2009 London appearance from the band. Support bands Wet Paint and Two Door Cinema Club are an ideal prelude to the frenzied headline set that is to come. Fresh from several festival performances and a tour with Bloc Party earlier this year, Wet Paint rush through a short set of hooky punk-pop drawn from their debut album. Belfast’s Two Door Cinema Club follow, and their dance infused indie pop provides what turns out to be an unashamed tribute to the influence of tonight’s headliners on their label mates.
When the lights dim and a figure dressed in what is best described as a silver gimp suit emerges on stage, the crowd reaches fever pitch. As the rest of the band arrive, the silver gimp unzips, Yannis Philippakis emerges and Foals burst into ‘XXXX.’ What follows is an hour-long illustration of just how far this band have come and, more importantly, what they are capable of in the future.
Tonight’s show is a rare outing for Foals, who are currently holed up in a Swedish studio recording what promises to be an appropriately bombastic follow up to ‘Antidotes.’ “We’re quite lonely in Sweden,” Yannis informs the crowd, “If anyone wants to visit, please do.” The front man should be wary of such dry humour, judging by the partisan reaction, most of the crowd are probably en route to Gothenburg right now.
Despite any loneliness they may or may not be suffering, the band are clearly using their studio time productively as the smattering of new songs aired tonight prove. Particularly exciting is ‘Death Surf,’ its frantic, beat-laden breakdown is an unexpected highlight of the encore.
But, in truth, this show is packed with unexpected moments, feedback freakouts meet dance anthem style euphoria, as Foals meander through various build ups, beat drops and improbable time changes. That they debut a new song in their encore is symptomatic of the quintet’s mentality. You get the feeling that they would be more than comfortable playing live with no plan, no set list and improvising the whole thing, such is the quality of their musicianship.
The years spent playing together since the days of ‘Hummer’ are more than evident, each member knows what the other is thinking, and the songs are revitalised as a result. ‘Balloons’ and ‘Cassius’ are dispensed with early in the set, it seems that Foals, and Yannis in particular, cannot wait to unleash the new tracks.
Finishing with the customary ‘Two Steps Twice,’ Foals return to Sweden triumphant, buoyed by the rabid reaction to the fruits of their labour in the studio. The fans leave hungry for the release of the new album, so much so that many of them will probably fly to Sweden to hurry the band along.
Words by Ben Homewood
