Following the recent release of their new album “Small World”, Metronomy are currently on the road, promoting it around the UK, we were invited to attend the show at the O2 in Bristol to see how it translated to the big stage, read on to find out if it hit the mark….
Following a 30 date hike across Europe and with New York and Los Angeles shows in the bag, we see them select 12 venues across the UK including our very own English Riviera (Torquay) with the tour culminating at London’s Alexandra Palace, surely a highlight for the band that have grown from strength to strength over the years.
Their recently released seventh studio album “Small World” sees Metronomy return to simple pleasures and embrace more pared-down, songwriterly sonics, while asking broader existential questions: which feels at least somewhat rooted in the period of time during which it was made – 2020, the time the world stood still!.
The critics are loving the latest offering, Rolling Stone said “Small World might just have the biggest heart of any Metronomy record yet” , The Guardian commented, “The British indie-synth-pop troupe are at their jolliest here, clopping into your happy place on a jaunty Chicago house bassline” whilst NME added, “Metronomy are hitting pause on coy indie electronica and exploring more straightforward, heart-on-sleeve material for their new album ‘Small World’”
Opening the show was Goat Girl, a post-punk quartet who were joined by a fifth member (Goat Boy?) on keys. Their rhythm heavy, almost tribal beats were interlaced with vocal harmonies and guitar parts delivered a tight and somewhat unsettling performance which kept the audience engaged throughout their set.
Goat Girl are 2 albums into they career and with a slot at Knebworth supporting Liam Gallagher 22 years after he last performed there with a band called OASIS in 1996, the future is looking very bright.
Metronomy bounded on stage at 9pm sharp and launched straight into their set which pleased the healthy crowd no end. They delved into their 7 album back catalogue to create a mixed setlist which guaranteed something for everyone, clear crowd pleasers from the earlier offerings included 'It's Good to Be Back' and 'Everything Goes My Way'.
The band looked completely in control throughout the evening and totally in tune with one another and judging by the smiles on their faces, it looked like they were truly relishing the moment. 'The Light' was delivered with it's incredible bass heavy funk melody which took the room by the scruff of its neck and demanded its attention whilst 'Things Will Be Fine' was delivered effortlessly with Joseph's sweet vocals and guitar melody.
With Joseph Mount and Olugbenga Adelekan off the stage, the remaining members launched into a high octane instrumental which shook the room to its core, with lush synth waves overlapping as the beat remained constant until the truant members joined them to bring the track to a close.
'Insecurity' followed with its funk fuelled bass line and noodling keyboard work which acted as a solid foundation for Joseph's vocals to float over. Whenever a new song is announced, you normally see people heading out to the bar to refresh drinks but tonight was different, Joseph introduced 'Loneliness' and to my surprise, nobody moved, which is quite a rarity for a new song, this only proves that they have produced an album of such high quality, people want to savour every moment of it being delivered in a live environment.
It was at this stage that I had to get out of the venue and run for my bus that would take me to the station for the last train back to Exeter as my bed was calling my name after a 20 hour day!
With the tour coming to a close on May 7th with a monster show at London's Alexandra Palace, Metronomy will be taking a well earned break for a couple of weeks before heading to to Mexico or two shows towards the end of May and then kicking off another string of European dates from early June with a short break on 22nd to make an appearance at Worthy Farm aka Glastonbury Festival. For more dates throughout 2022, head to metronomy.co.uk/tour
Words and Pictures by Steve Muscutt & Glenn Morrison