This is my first trip to Leeds for live music. My first thoughts are something along the lines of “wow, these goods and services are noticeably cheaper than in the south.” I’m actually going to a wedding tomorrow, but a little detail like that should never prevent a bit of art rock indulgence.
Women are certainly one of the weirder indie rock bands to have achieved a degree of mainstream acclaim this year (where “mainstream” means a good review on Stereogum). Where lo-fi pop, colourful, ambitious hip hop, subsonic, dubstep wobble and the reverbed haze of chillwave have all to varying degrees defined the last 12 months, Women’s music runs deeply against the grain, being as it is, insular, sparse, brittle and often uncomfortable. There are no obvious weed references, and certainly no cat jokes. In spite of running against the grain, it seems that Women have succeeded this year for precisely those attributes, for being one of few bands who have attempted to make melodic, yet unusual music infused with a sense of unease. “Public Strain” was a perfect testament to this, taking the various aspects of their debut to polar extremes, the poppy bits poppier, the weirder bits weirder.
And so it is with their live show. Cliched as it is, they come alive, casting off the airless nature of their studio output and sounding like a full blooded, fire breathing rock band. “Eyesore” naturally receives the best reception, it’s uneasy harmonies and dark surf vibe proving a reliable stand out in the live arena, but really everything from Public Strain sounds like a highlight. In the flesh, Women sound more aggressive, more human, particularly on “Heat Distraction” and “Locust Valley”, the more limber and supple sound allowing the crowd to cut loose and get down, as they say. This certainly looks like success, where difficult music is being embraced in a time honoured fashion, but if they consider it thus, Women don’t let on. Undemonstrative on stage, they don’t give off the impression of a band entirely at ease with life outside the studio. Recent events would suggest this is the case. While the demise of Women would not exactly shake the “indie” “community” to it’s core, it would certainly represent a significant loss. In a commercial and artistic climate where it is becoming increasingly difficult to pursue a sustainable career in alternative music without explicitly mining the past for ideas, bands like Women are essential to provide an outlet for and inspiration to the genuine weirdos.
{ADDENDUM: A cursory Google revealed some pictures from this show, courtesy of photographer Daniel Heaton. Check them here: www.danielheaton.com/2010/09/women-brudenell-social-club-leeds/)
Posted on 04/12/2010 by Andrew Valentine
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