The words every working human being wants to hear after a long week of office exertion:
“We have got tons of free beer inside, so make sure you help yourself to what’s on offer. The band is mingling about so just start chatting with people and I’m sure you’ll bump into them.”
This is how my weekend started. But to be fair, if the electro pop band Swiss Lips and alternative group Bastille wanted to make last Friday night’s event, Introducing the Union, and exclusive thing, they would not have problem gaining a willing (and paid) following. With the success of Bastille’s EP Flaws, and The Swiss Lip’s débuted track,U got the Power,both bands have obtained a large and dedicated following. In the words of one enthusiastic fan,
“Bastille was so popular, there was not even a wait to get into the cue for the bathroom – everyone was too busy dancing by the stage!”
The playful statement -much like the night of events – was a vastly understated recognition of just how successful of both bands have been this past year. Having both signed to major record companies in 2012, Swiss Lips and Bastille have gained renowned national acclaim through their live performance-son the road at festivals like Lovebox, sold out shows at venues like London’s Koko, and opening for legendary bands such as Blur. All of these attainments accumulated in a headlining tour in 2013, where they’ll be playing at venues as large as 02 sponsored arenas to small niche stops like TheklaBristiol- a docked boat club that plays to a capacity of only a few hundred of the most loyal fans.
There’s much that comes with signing major record deals and accumulating fast success. But these bands emphasize a balance of placing a strong prominence on their fan base and playing at the venues that remain true to their sound –original and deeply connected to their identity as musicians. Introducing the Union is a month long series of free parties that does exactly that – getting the fans as close to the band as possible while allowing the band to do what they do best – create a space that gives them the ability to put their stuff out there. This perhaps marks the strongest appeal for the large following and die hard fan base that follow the Swiss Lips and Bastille; for anyone at The Union on Friday, the place seemed like one giant house party, jam packed in what could only be described as a charmingly unassuming celebration of what were otherwise an electrically celebrated atmosphere.
Equally juxtaposing the low-key charm of the momentous live show were the band members themselves, – whose sponsorship of the event (free and plentiful beers for all) and low profile image (they surfaced before and after performances to mingle with the crowed and meet their fans) – shaped the atmosphere for both the night, and the images of the band themselves.
Manchester based Swiss Lips started out as an Internet project collaborated between friends. The easiness and ability for honest self-critique and rapid development is reflective in the progression of their music’s solidified sound and their consequential sharp, convincing success in a short period of time. The band recently signed a four record deal contract with EpicSonyin at the end of 2011, and has found the move truly liberating;
“It’s a massive change in freedom.” Front man Sam stated. “We have the support to do what want, to create our sound, and get our music out there.”
That sound- emphasizing the synthesized guitar and house music popular to the Manchester scene – which is often been compared to the likes of MGMT and the Rapture, is one of the few bands who is just as good if not better live than on record, and has received an enthusiastic reception on the national scene, something Sam describes as
“Beyond our wildest dreams. We never imagined this.”
South London’s Bastille, whose lead singer Dan Smith has a voice that could easily replace any addiction with sure permanent residency (he defiantly replaced fellow alternative Muse’s Matt Bellamy on my ipod workout playlist), describes the past year as nothing short of incredible. Having signed with major music conglomerate EMI whilst, they have cultivated their untouched homegrown sound into something truly new to obsess over (click here for EP Flaws:
Smith and the band still carry nothing short of laid-back attitude in regards to where they would like to take the band’s up and coming success;
“I have got no idea. At the moment, it’s all a bit ridiculous and I’m amazed we’re (where we are).”
My advise is to get to The Union while the stardust is still in everyone’s eyes. Before you know it, these guys might be too big to get the opportunity to for us to mingle with them one on one.
