First time for me seeing Kiwi power popsters The Beths touring in support of their excellent album ‘Expert in a Dying Field’. I know this massively ages me but checking my gig history the last time I was in this venue, formerly Brixton Fridge, was almost thirty two years to the day to witness a truly chaotic, memorable and enjoyable show with Julian Cope. Tonight though it’s a far more controlled affair and what it lacks in madness it makes up for in melodic songs and an inflatable fish. Suck on that Julian.
It’s fair to say that the venue is full to brimming being long sold out but we manage to bag a spot on the stairs leading down to the floor so we had perfect sight lines across to the stage. It’s a low key entrance to a stylophone version of ‘Future Me Hates Me’ from their debut album before they launch into it proper. It’s then eighty minutes of non-stop guitar based power pop pulling in tracks from across their catalogue.
The Beths are led by Liz Stokes on guitar and vocals with the boys behind her on guitar, bass and drums supplementing their musicianship with some nice harmonies throughout. The between song banter is amusing with much lamenting about London transport and providing some advice for those sitting exams the next day. Props to Jonathan Pearce on lead guitar who proves to be the perfect foil with his licks and shreds it with the best of them. Whilst the sound was a little muddy occasionally when he hit his solos like a man possessed, his notes soar to the tops of the balcony.
The new album sounded excellent live with ‘When you know you know’ and set closer the title track ‘Expert in a Dying Field’ being two of the many highlights for me. An excellent night of live music and if you like guitar based pop music then look no further than these guys.
Keep on power poppin rockin’ y’all