White Lies @ HMV Institute, 14th February 2011
“Happy Valentine’s Day” White Lies frontman, Harry McVeigh, wishes the jam-packed HMV Institute. His band, however, are a little darker than your typical Now That’s What I Call Love Songs album and, for the rest of the evening, we’re treated to a moody yet life-affirming selection of songs which has the crowd passionately singing along to every word.
It’s been a fairly rapid rise for White Lies. Here to promote the release of their second album, Ritual, the band have garnered a fanatical following and, despite lazy comparisons to Joy Division and Editors, have found a sound all of their own, albeit one heavily influenced by the alternative and new wave music fof the 80s.
The music is aptly complimented by a stage decorated with LED lighting, dry ice and rose-strewn mic stands. Beginning with A Place To Hide from their 2009 debut, the three-piece give a tight, solid performance which is well-paced and sprinkled with fan-favourites. The dramatic To Lose My Life is showcased early in the set and the epic set-closer, Death, is White Lies at their anthemic best.
A three-song encore sees the only mis-step of the evening with The Power & The Glory bringing the pace down and sounding like a filler track sandwiched between the rich electronic sounds of Unfinished Business and recent single, Bigger Than Us, which wraps things up majestically and sends everyone home more than contented.
For a relatively new band, White Lies are establishing themselves as one of the country’s more dynamic and interesting bands, and tonight’s gig proves they can deliver their epic sound superbly in a live arena.
Review & Photos – Steve Gerrard