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Review: Do Nothing, The Louisiana – ‘Vigorously expressive’
“This is what it’s all about!” the Do Nothing frontman states, clearly emotional, as the band plays their final of five sold out shows in Independent Venue Week – and in the best venue of them all, The Louisiana.
This is a band that embraces indie venue culture and they are here to celebrate that with us. The Louisiana is crammed with expectant mega fans, all here to see their favourite band in an intimate, sweaty squeeze.
Support tonight is Brighton four-piece Glasshouse Red Spider Mite. The room, fittingly, is lit up red. Spoken word rings out, to the effect of: ‘No human being is an island, No human being is complete in and of him/herself: we are members of society and we are members of community’.
is needed now More than ever
These are very apt words in #IVW as we gather to celebrate our music community.
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Glasshouse Red Spider Mite are deliciously understated, letting the music do the talking. Abundant vocal harmonies lend to the tender nature of the music.
Drummer Benjie appears to meditate at one point, before getting back on the brushes to accompany the guitarist using Ebow to create a soaring soundscape, as rich as it is subtle. There are shades of Radiohead, Mew, and all the good stuff.
The set builds with only interludes for spoken word before set closers Everyone and Thorns. A beautifully comforting and gentle start to the night.
Suddenly the room becomes sweaty and the gaps between us smaller as Do Nothing snake through the crowd to take the stage.
Happy Feet hits the ground running followed by LeBron James. The crowd are singing every word, of which there are many, delivered swift and rhythmically.
Do Nothing singer Chris Bailey: ‘vigorously expressive’
Frontman Chris Bailey’s voice is high in the mix; he performs each word with acerbic passion and is vigorously expressive, both lyrically and physically – pointing, stabbing, and at one point kissing the sweaty head of one lucky fan in the front row.
Guitarist Kasper Sandstrøm performs with a smile on his face and has all the angular punk riffs you could want.
Kasper Sandstrøm: making the most of those effects and a quality stank-face
The band are visibly taken aback by the adoration in the room as they hit the crowd with a string of new songs that receive as many yelps and shouts of glee as the old classics do. They sound polished and ready to bang on a record.
After the new album is performed, Nerve glides through our ears, a clear crowd favourite. Chris takes time to appreciate how lucky they are to perform at independent venues and their necessity in the band’s development.
Then, with set closer Handshakes he shows off his range with a tender and passionate performance, as the crowd drops back down to earth with the promise of an abundance of new material to look forward to.
All images: Matt Barnes
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