Pip Blom @ Hare and Hounds, 4th June 2019
Pip Blom‘s star has been rising for a while now, helped by regular playlisting by 6 Music which has showcased the high energy, guitar heavy, lo-fi indie pop. Excellent reviews for their debut album, Boat, has increased interest in their first big headlining set of shows and a sold out and expectant Hare and Hounds awaited them tonight.
For the uninitiated, Pip Blom is a 23 year old from Amsterdam, and not the name of a band as I must admit I only found out recently! She’s been making music for 4 years and slowly building momentum, crafting infectiously catchy melodies that rattle around your brain long after the song has finished. Her band includes her brother, Tender Blom on guitar and sharing vocals, Darek Mercks on Bass and Gini Cameron on drums.
A packed hare and Hounds were warmed up by Jacob Slater and another band carving out a promising career, Hotel Lux, who were a challenging but great support.
I could feel the expectancy in the room as Blom and band took to the stage. Could they live up to the growing hype? Absolutely they could. From the opener “Tinfoil” through to closing with their biggest hit to date ” Daddy’s issues”, they shook the room with a joyous racket that was pure power pop.
At times, reminiscent of 90’s Brit Pop such as early Blur, Sleeper and Elastica but with a rougher edge. Blom is a fan of The Breeders and you can hear that modern influence as well. It was power chords and huge choruses throughout with the band pogoing pretty much the whole 50 minutes. They clearly enjoyed themselves which I love in a band. If I had a slight criticism, it was one paced, a very fast pace but one paced. I am sure that as Blom builds the catalogue, it will add some variety to her show.
Overall, this was a thrilling gig that lived up to the hype that has been building. I had eagerly awaited the debut album and whilst I like it, it’s live that it needs to be heard as it is given extra bite and bounce. They are gigging hard over the summer, with festival slots all over the country. If you get a chance, try and catch them. You won’t be disappointed.
Reviewer: Rich Jefferson
Photographer: Andra Tudoran
Pip is 22, not 23. And she’s been putting out music for about 16-17 years now, not 4. She released a duet with her father (of Eton Crop fame) when she was just 5 or 6 years old and even had an entire album where she played every note herself released when she was 16.