Spring King at The Bodega - Photo by Kate Morley
It’s staggering how the fortunes of burgeoning band Spring King have transformed over the past few months, the group acclaiming a snowballing reputation as one of the hottest prospects in the music industry; in May last year, by his own admission, Tarek Musa’s brainchild played to a modest crowd of 30 at Nottingham’s Bodega, co-headlining the bill with Heat – before that, his collective played a DJ set to a singular attendee, and his deaf dog, at near-by Stealth.
But, nine months down the line, the frenetic Manchester rock ‘n’ rollers are back at The Bodega – a stalwart for live music, renowned for attracting highly-rated artists before they become huge – this time selling it out, on their own, after receiving global exposure.
The northern four-piece made the music history books in June, becoming the first ever band to be played on Apple Music’s Beats 1 radio show, hosted by Zane Lowe – who played City as its debut track.
“Nottingham”, Tarek exclaims – who is clad in a red snapback and retro American tennis garment – after walking on stage, the crowd jostling for a decent vantage point, before he is cut-short by jubilant screams. “Fucking hell, I didn’t realise we could fit so many people in this room. What the fuck, there’s so many of yer. Thank you all for coming down”, he adds, before launching into the cacophonous Better Man.
Spring King at The Bodega - Photo by Kate Morley
The drummer-cum-frontman sits at the back of the small stage, the group’s rear-wheel driving force which, for any sceptics, pays off; the band are raucously indie and melodic at the same time, boasting a catalogue of beer-swirling, festival-ready anthems – which sound like a cross between The Maccabees, Circa Waves and Jamie T.
After moving into Tell Me If You Like To and then Detroit, the passion emanating from the third number evokes the first of a spate of giddy, mini-mosh pits which, in such intimate surroundings, are impossible to avoid. The other member of the band who stands out is vocalist and guitarist, James Green, who’s giving it everything he’s got, raising the proverbial roof.
The highlight song is They’re Coming After You, Tarek migrating to the edge of the stage to deliver their most melodic of ballads, which is echoed by his gospel-like choir, afore him. Their softest of numbers is followed by their most visceral, and we witness pandemonium ensue during their Catfish and the Bottlemen-esque number Mumma.
“Fucking Hell. I don’t know who’s more tired, you guys enjoying yourself or us playing. We’re ‘gonna give you everything we’ve got tonight”, a breathless Tarek adds.
The band don’t need an encore and simply reel off their celebrated humdinger City to end, the crowd a churning sea, and we leave excited above all, safe in the knowledge that these guys won’t be playing small-scale gigs much longer.
Set List:
Better Man
Tell Me If You Like To
Detroit
Demons
Rectifier
In All This Murk And Dirt
Oblivion (Grimes cover)
They’re Coming After You
Mumma
Who Are You?
Can I?
Let’s Ride
Heaven
City
Spring King were at The Bodega on Wednesday 17 February 2016.
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