The London crowd were brimming with anticipation for Du Blonde’s sold out show at London’s The Scala, which was upgraded from the Moth Club due to high demand. It was also the last show of their first tour in five years and there was a definite party atmosphere both on and off-stage.
Openers Big Fat Big brought their energetic Northern pop-punk vibes to the party, with Katie Ryall’s blistering punk riffs and Robyn Walker’s at times fiery and at times sweetly delivered lyrics, focusing on the exasperation of modern day life, especially in the song ‘Nothing’ with biting lyrics on the inequity of wealth in the UK, from their recent ‘Rippin’’ EP.
Next up Du Blonde’s live return to London, was met with rapture by the audience who clearly had been missing their favourite multi-talented grunge pop icon.
Opening the set with an apology due to their poor health, they launched ‘perfectly’ into set opener ‘Perfect’ and for the next hour, no one noticed anything but the multi-talented Beth and her band rolling out infectious song after infectious song, primarily from recent self-produced album ‘Smiff More Gritty’. Their band featured Courtney Dixon on lead guitar, as well as Katie and Robyn from Big Fat Pig, on guitar and backing vocals and Ed on bass. It’s a killer idea to have the same support and touring band and I thought it amazing that I’d never seen it before!
Throughout the set, Du Blonde’s charming and self-effacing banter made me realise just why their fans love them so much, from the raw and emotional conversational lyrics to the songs filled with equal parts of grit, grunge and pop sensibilities, and big choruses, on such songs as Live Wire and The Next Big Thing (featuring Skin on the album).
The acoustic set was a particularly tender moment, with just Du Blonde and their guitar onstage, singing their deeply introspective lyrics, over skilful finger-picked guitar and the crowd hanging on every word, creating a moment where you could hear a pin drop.
The band came back out with high energy angry song ‘Blame’, featuring some amazing lead guitar from Courtney, and the rest of the set was a beautiful symmetry between the band and audience as they entertained us, including crowd favourites such as ‘All The Way’.
The show ended with Du Blonde’s self-professed favourite song from the latest album ‘TV Star’, and there was an uncontrolled energy and camaraderie on stage and off, with the whole band enjoying themselves on stage and taking pictures of the audience as the audience sang along to every word. Pure Magic!
I have no doubt they’ll be back sooner next time. As we say in the north ‘Class’!
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