The Temper Trap - Coal Exchange, Cardiff - 19th May 2012 (Live Review)
Monday, 21 May 2012
Written by Ryan Crittenden
Ahead of the release of their self-titled second album, Australian indie stars The Temper Trap embarked on a tour of the UK. Last week they stopped off at the picturesque Coal Exchange in Cardiff to showcase new material as well as treating the crowd to songs from their brilliant debut album 'Conditions'.
Joining The Temper Trap in Cardiff was a young four piece Cymbals. Having been impressed with these guys just a week earlier at the Camden Crawl, the strong crowd that had turned out early gave them a good reception. Cymbals sound is dominated by the off-kilter guitar lines and catchy keys and with hints of ‘math-rock’ too, the energetic set got the audience well warmed up. Songs from debut album 'Unlearn' were aired alongside tracks from their new EP 'Sideways, Sometimes'. Their quirky, upbeat frenetic style is epitomised by lead singer Jack, who bounds around the stage making up for some, at times, shaky vocals. Set closer ‘Single Printed Name’ is the highlight of the set, the repetitive but well utilised keys are joined by the twangly guitar parts and steady drumming that has shaped the whole set. It is a song with a real indie dance floor feel to it and as they depart the stage, the band from London have certainly gained a few fans from this show.
Temper Trap's opening tracks ‘London’s Burning’ and ‘Need Your Love’, both from the eponymous new album, set an impressive standard that they largely fail to build on. Lead singer Dougy Mandagi was quick to point out that the band would be playing some new tracks but I don’t think even the most hard-core fan was expecting so few tracks from debut album 'Conditions' in the main set. Populating over half of the set with material from an album that has not even been released shows massive confidence in their ability but you do have to question if that is what the crowd wanted to see.
The set did not appear to be going this way as the Aussie five-piece followed the two opening new tracks with old favourite ‘Love Lost.’ A song that sparked a Coal Exchange wide sing-a-long, however, the pace was slowed with new track ‘Miracle’ and despite the airing of recently released single ‘Rabbit Hole’, there was just an air around the venue that they wanted to hear more familiar tracks. This is not to say that the tracks from the new album were not sounding good, full of the
anthemic choruses and slow-burning riffs that shape the sound of The Temper Trap, the band seem to have taken on a more electro infused feel.
A track that really stood out from the new self-titled album was ‘Happiness’. Following on from ‘Down River’ it was the perfect time to air a track that really highlighted the ever so impressive glacial falsetto tones of frontman Mandagi. The song was complete with a big chorus and kept a good pace that dipped yet again with ballad inspired ‘Trembling’ and ‘Dreams,’ a track that had a sort of Hurts feel to it, keeping on the electro inspired path that this new album seems to be going down.
Backed by layered harmonies, shimmering guitar and pounding drums, Mandagi took centre stage for the final three tracks of the show. With a tremendous light show behind him, the lead singer took control of the venue with ‘Science of Fear.’ The whole mood and atmosphere in this historic venue shifts up a few gears, the whole band seem to up their game and urged on by the baying crowd perform the song to almost perfection. With a huge ovation still ringing around the near-capacity venue, ‘Resurrection’ keeps the heads bobbing and the energy flowing with a classy finale aided by an equally powerful light show.
With the set coming to a close, the extended drumming intro was inevitably leading to set closer ‘Drum Song.’ Ending a set with an instrumental song is a brave decision but one that just feels right, the shredding guitar is exemplary and the efforts of the whole band to create this stadium filler song without any words is an admirable feat. A great end to what was in truth an average show.
A few grumbles around me followed as a rather intoxicated woman was audibly fuming at the fact she had not heard ‘Sweet Disposition.’ Not to anger or upset this lady, The Temper Trap were quite quick to return to the stage for a well-received encore. On arrival, a beautiful rendition of ‘Soldier On’ was observed brilliantly as Mandagi, with clenched fists and closed eyes, again took the plaudits with his swooning vocals. Following with new track ‘I’m Gonna Wait,’ it was set up nicely for ‘Sweet Disposition.’ Notably the most popular song of the night, it did not quite have that cutting edge that made it stand out so much on release. Perhaps due to over-playing or use in various adverts and television programmes, the masses still lapped up the infectious chorus and the band from Australia left to a triumphant response.
NOTE FROM THE EDITOR
We don't run any advertising! Our editorial content is solely funded by lovely people like yourself using Stereoboard's listings when buying tickets for live events. To keep supporting us, next time you're looking for concert, festival, sport or theatre tickets, please search for "Stereoboard". It costs you nothing, you may find a better price than the usual outlets, and save yourself from waiting in an endless queue on Friday mornings as we list ALL available sellers!
Joining The Temper Trap in Cardiff was a young four piece Cymbals. Having been impressed with these guys just a week earlier at the Camden Crawl, the strong crowd that had turned out early gave them a good reception. Cymbals sound is dominated by the off-kilter guitar lines and catchy keys and with hints of ‘math-rock’ too, the energetic set got the audience well warmed up. Songs from debut album 'Unlearn' were aired alongside tracks from their new EP 'Sideways, Sometimes'. Their quirky, upbeat frenetic style is epitomised by lead singer Jack, who bounds around the stage making up for some, at times, shaky vocals. Set closer ‘Single Printed Name’ is the highlight of the set, the repetitive but well utilised keys are joined by the twangly guitar parts and steady drumming that has shaped the whole set. It is a song with a real indie dance floor feel to it and as they depart the stage, the band from London have certainly gained a few fans from this show.
