The Victoria in Dalston is buzzing with twinkly, Christmassy vibes and there is certainly magic and sparkle in the air.
A Narnia-style entrance – a door disguised as a bookcase- opens to reveal the performance area, complete with matching fairy lights and a tinsel-wrapped mic stand.
The Silent Era, a 4-piece band from London, is the atmospheric opening to tonight’s gig. The band (Bri on vocals, Chris on guitar, Nicolas on bass & synth, and Jo on drums) starts their psychedelically-infused set with a heavy drum beat and equally emphatic chord structure.
We hear a familiar rattle and some bass notes that make us stiffen with excitement."
In their opening number, ‘Matter of Time,’ Bri’s strong vocals and magnetic presence enchant the small but appreciative crowd. Her vibrato, controlled and passionate, is showcased by long, sustained notes, her eyes and hands raised heavenward.
We hear a familiar rattle and some bass notes that make us stiffen with excitement. Do they really dare to perform what we think is coming? Oh, yes, they do. Their second offering is ‘a seasonal special,’ and against a backdrop of silent movie clips, ghosts, aliens, and some people’s better judgment, they perform the iconic gothic grail, Bauhaus’s ‘Bela Lugosi’s Dead.’ We gaze in awe at the mesmeric Bri as she gently chants the iconic lines, and the band absolutely nails it.
“Heaven // Hell” follows with a heavy bass riff and plenty of reverb, creating the perfect foundation for their doom-filled, distorted sound. The guitar melody and Bri’s ever-powerful vocals complete this eclectic impression. The relentless bass playing, perfectly in time, is impressive in its accuracy during “On the Run,” while the ‘doomy’ sound in “Oscillations,” with its ambient intro, develops and progresses through octave leaps and intense rhythms. The four succeed in creating a warm and mellow wall of sound, free-flowing and punchy in pace. A ‘doom version’ of their release “Scorpio” (Slowpio) combines high-octane instrumentals with Bri’s soothing tones, and this evening’s fire is ignited—the now full space is a sea of swaying darkness, the congregation compelled by the chaotic, charismatic cacophony that is The Silent Era.
Sweet Unrest virtually spills onto the Dalston stage. There’s a profound energy around this trio (plus mates) who are Marlo, Jack, and Dani, that is intoxicating. Even before they start to play, how they look up there on stage is just, well, stirring. One has the sense that this is going to be different, new, invigorating… virtuosic even?
Sweet Unrest hereby present to us a blistering set of songs, emphatically convincing, intensely musical, their sound exciting, fresh, and compelling."
After a request for ‘more reverb’ from front man, Jack, the band kicks off this evening’s music with their own take on that classic Christmas number ‘Silent Night.’ Our first thought is of the Motherland Christmas special (2022) when Mr. Washbourn (aka Joe from Toploader) outshines the children in their own nativity with his rendition of the aforementioned German carol. But Jack is bristling with energy and attitude; he has an electric aura around him, brandishing a feisty tambourine like a magic ju-ju stick and wearing (very successfully) a furry hat atop his Britpop tousled hair. He immediately connects with the now packed back room at The Victoria. Sweet Unrest hereby present to us a blistering set of songs, emphatically convincing, intensely musical, their sound exciting, fresh, and compelling.
His (Jack) energy is on another level as he uses every inch of the stage (vertically as well as horizontally) and some of the crowd space too..."
With a theatrical flourish of the aforementioned tambourine, the band launches into the attitude-laden ‘How You Feeling?’ followed by ‘Do Choose,’ which both showcase some emphatic and convincingly adept bass playing. The connection between these lads is ferocious: they are intensely comfortable yet challenging of each other, and the cherry on top of this satisfying cake is lead singer, Jack. His energy is on another level as he uses every inch of the stage (vertically as well as horizontally) and some of the crowd space too…
The style changes imperceptibly with ‘Part Time Lova,’ showing the band’s versatility, and more musical talent is shown when Marlo plays the slide guitar with a bottle obtained from a crowd member. Charisma abounds, seeping into the suddenly much more brightly clothed crowd; the melodies are lovely, and the audience so appreciative. There’s an expertly and enthusiastically executed cover of Chuck Berry’s Christmas classic ‘Run Rudolph’ before their finale, ‘Peace of Mind,’ sees Jack conducting his bandmates from atop a speaker.
If there was any lack of Christmas spirit in the air tonight, it’s in abundant flow now. Sweet Unrest, with their compelling blend of grunge, Britpop, and punk (with added Small Faces, dare we suggest) – you were fabulous.
SWEET UNREST & THE SILENT ERA opened for FREYA BEER at The Victoria Dalston – 19th December 2023
