Gig Review: Allo Darlin'

Allo Darlin’ / Vadoinmessico / The Vaudeville – Brighton Haunt 3/3/2012

Due to appalling timekeeping on my part I managed to miss The Vaudeville entirely. However, I’ve caught up with them on Youtube and will make the effort to see them live in order to make up for my previous tardiness!

I did however see the last three or four songs of Vadionmessico’s set. I would describe their music as ‘interesting’: electro-tinged indie with folk elements (well, there was a ballad featuring acoustic guitar and they used a banjo on their last song). They’re one of those bands that seem to swap instruments at the end of each song. I’ve never been able to make up my mind whether this shows a degree of versatility or is just plain annoying! Is it a sign of a band who are too clever for their own good?!! It certainly interrupts the flow of the set.

I have seen Allo Darlin’ described as twee, which I’ve always viewed as a bit of a derogatory term. However, they undeniably display signs of being both cute and sweet, which I guess is sort of OK. I was a little dubious about Elizabeth Morris’ extensive use of the ukelele, and wasn’t sure how that would work live. When they arrived on stage Elizabeth was toting a very nice Fender Mustang and their jangly indie pop was far more muscular than I expected.

About four songs in Elizabeth switched to ukelele for the song “Darren”, which is about their friend Darren Hayman, who Elizabeth protested that she is not in love with. The uke sounded absolutely fine, but during this song her Mustang, which she’d leant against the drum riser, fell over. Invest in a guitar stand Elizabeth!

The band seemed to hit their stride with “The Polaroid Song” with some very impressive pogoing from bassist Bill Botting (who later also took an equally impressive leap from the drum riser). This was the last night of the band’s UK tour, and they definitely seemed to be having fun, the sense of which was infectious. However, this didn’t get in the way of their performance. Whilst there was plenty of exuberance, there were also moments of great understatement which had the audience absolutely rapt. Sometimes less really is more.

They finished their main set with “Dreaming” during which Bill Botting’s lead vocal lines were unfortunately all but inaudible. They quickly returned to the stage for the encores amid dry ice which apparently reminded Elizabeth of “high school discos”! They played a great cover of “If You Don’t Pull You’re Gonna Walk Home On Your Own” by the Just Joans, and finished with “Kiss Your Lips” and “My Heart Is A Drummer” complete with funky coda that sounded a lot like “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” by Cyndi Lauper.

Allo Darlin’ aren’t doing anything new, but they do what they do with considerable aplomb (especially Paul Rains’ C86/Johnny Marr influenced guitar inflections). Primarily though, this band is about fun (and romance – listen to the lyrics). If you see them they won’t make you re-assess the way in which you live your life or lecture you on the inequalities of modern life, but you will almost certainly leave the gig with a smile on your face.

                                                                                                      Mark Kelly