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X-POSURE Listener Blog 3 - Somerset House

added 19 July 2011 at 15.09

This week's listener blog comes from XFM listener Riana Sadrudin. Check out her fantastic and comprehensive review of My Morning Jacket's performance at the iconic Somerset House.

"I’ve been following My Morning Jacket for quite a while now, but have never had the opportunity to see them perform a live set before. Watching previous live performances of theirs on Youtube gave me a vague idea of what to expect at the gig. However, their truly stunning performance on the night definitely shattered all my preconceived ideas.

The Kentucky based five-piece kicked off their set with a high octane performance of ‘Victory Dance’, the first track off their new album Circuital. This song beckoned all gig-goers to leave the bar behind and make their way to the stage for the band’s arrival.  Its driving guitar riff and menacing vocals promised an unmissable set to come and it was a thrilling way to start the night.

Somerset House has fast become one of my favourite gig venues in London. Its beautiful architecture and great acoustics make it a perfect venue for any band to perform and it did wonders for My Morning Jacket. The stage show consisted of very exciting, colourful lighting and greatly added to the atmosphere and striking surroundings of Somerset House. In typical London fashion it had to rain, prompting members of the audience to don a raincoat or put their brollies up. This rubbish weather did anything but dishearten the crowd and they carried on, enthusiastically, rocking along to the music.

My highlight of the night, and most probably that of many others, was when front man Jim James casually danced about with a towel on his head. He was effortlessly cool when singing ‘The Day Is Coming’ and, the more mellow, ‘Movin’ Away’ whilst wearing his interesting choice of head-gear. For me, the best tracks of the night have to be ‘Slow, Slow Tune’ and ‘Holdin’ On To Black Metal’ as they really captured the crowd and got everyone singing along.

I didn’t buy a souvenir from the gig but did leave the venue with something even better than your usual band tshirt or CD. After about 10 minutes of begging a security guard and being oh so charming, I managed to bag myself a guitar pick belonging to Carl Broemel, the band’s lead guitarist and saxophonist. My friend and I also took full advantage of the photo booth at Somerset House leaving with some snaps to capture an unforgettable night.

Hats off and top marks to the band for a spectacular show."

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