LIVE: Let’s Go Safari @ Stressed Out // The Kings Head, Acton (London), 09.08.12
There's a new Thursday night happening in deepest, darkest Acton, West London, an area not particularly known for its music scene...but still just down the road from the famed Shepherds Bush Empire. The 'burbs often miss out on being part of a scene, but it seems changes are afoot and this can only be a good thing.
We popped along to see Bournemouth boys Let's Go Safari take the stage as they warmed up for some promo dates. Self-penned as being "the band who bring you chocolates, flowers and take pleasure in remembering your pet’s name", they're a young bunch, I can imagine my granny pinching their cheeks and them politely accepting her invitation for "go on, have another custard cream".
Opening with possibly the catchiest track of 2012, BYOB, their next single (out 20th August via Red Dragon Records), the band are still fresh to the scene but ultimately fun to watch.
Frontman Ryan bounds about like an ADHD kid who's had a cola bottle too many. He's friendly and there's no assuming stage presence, no pretense, no cold hard stares or trying-too-hard outfits. His boxers are hanging out. And the rest of the band tend to merge into the background at the start. They're a unit, a musical forcefield with Ryan at the helm guiding them.
It is announced that the next track is a song written by Clive on guitar, much to his eager smile and he anticipates the crowds reaction: they're dancing. Like actually twirling about.
Let's Go Safari are indie-pop perfection: catchy tracks with approachable lyrics, and they've only been together in their current incarnation for a matter of months. What a treat. The set includes other tracks Glad To Be A Grad, previous single Oh, Jane Doe among other bits of new material, these guys could form a tiny smile on the most aloof of hipster faces, hell, they might even get some foot-tapping going on.
Okay, so getting us all to sing along and teaching us a tune was a bit cheesy, but it worked. I am, however, going to buy Ryan a belt. Defo recommended.
Other dates:
24th August – On the Rocks, Bournemouth
27th August – The Vibe Bar, London
5th September – The Horatia, London
8th September – Grendon Festival, Oxfordshire
20th September – RMA Tavern, Southsea, Portsmouth
