The stage is a rainbow: guitars of turquoise, fuchsia, vermillion, and chartreuse, along with an emerald drum kit, promise an evening of polychromatic proportions in a venue small but oh so perfectly formed.
The O2 2 Islington is quickly filling up with the beautiful young things and the occasional not-so-beautiful-anymore older things of Islington. With their newly unwashed hair, rosy cheeks, and fresh, excited faces alight with eager anticipation, they are ready for the magical and, may we say, unique sound and style of the super-talented and quirkily frisky Teenage Dads.
Before we taste this Antipodean bliss, Permanent (Joy) is here to charm us with their tightly-knit musicianship. Each member of this seemingly newly fashioned band contributes individually to a rich and textured sound through three-way harmonized vocals, catchy chords, and guitar riffs that are both crisp and melodic.
These boys really tore it apart."
A deep, driving bass line and emphatic, fiery beat created a taut, slick sound that was transmitted to the crowd, and they absolutely loved it. The frontman’s insanely powerful stage presence, coupled with his exceptional talent for connecting with the audience, was truly a standout. Each song’s lyrics were delivered with passion and intensity. His emotional range and control were mesmerizing; every word carried weight, and every feeling was convincingly and assuredly conveyed. These boys really tore it apart and are surely ones to watch.
Sonic Aussie sunshine on freakin' steroids."
From the moment Teenage Dads took the stage, their huge energy was palpable. “Does everyone have their dancing shoes on? Let’s party!” was the cry from lead singer Jordy, whose charisma shone from the very beginning of the set. Connor (guitar), Vinnie (drums), and Angus (bass guitar) interacted effortlessly with each other, showcasing their chemistry and mutual passion for the magic they create. There’s clearly a mix of old and new fans here tonight, and immediately, some begin to sing and squeal along with passionate fervor to the first, well-loved track “Sunburnt.” The sound, idiosyncratic in its intensity and expression, simply bursts with vigour: Sonic Aussie sunshine on freakin’ steroids.
The band segues effortlessly, almost imperceptibly, between songs."
On the menu tonight, a seemingly seamless blend of older and new songs, included a treat of two as yet unreleased tracks, ‘Boarding Pass’ and ‘Boyfriend,’ both of which showcased the band’s exceptional musicianship and their infectious, relentlessly flamboyant vibe. This infused us with a rare tingly feeling as effortlessly as that vitamin D hit on the first sunny day of an English summer…
The band segues effortlessly, almost imperceptibly, between songs, reminding us at first of those Ramones rapid-fire shows of yesteryear: no pause for breath, 1 2 3 4, and it’s into the next one. In a similar way, at times, it’s hard to tell when one song has finished and another has begun tonight. At other times, there are abrupt stops before Jordy and the band chat with and engage the crowd by sharing stories, anecdotes, and even playing a cover of “Postman Pat” to the young crowd’s delight.
Song by electrifying song, the high-octane performance crescendos into a pulsing, feel-good haze."
With “Piano Girl” comes a slower, more emotional feel that provided a contemplative contrast to the higher energy songs. Jordy’s heartfelt delivery and the band’s subtle instrumentation deepened the already powerful connection between everyone in the O2 this evening. Indeed, one of the highlights of the night was Teenage Dads’ interaction with their fans. There was a genuine effort and ability to relate, whether through joking around between songs or encouraging sing-alongs and participation. This relationship created a sense of attachment and community, making the evening feel truly like a shared experience. Any touch of imperfection, such as re-tuning or an awkward pause, added sweetness and humanity to the event.
this was a night of emotional depth and musical versatility."
The apparent limitless spirit of Teenage Dads built through their set like a Bell’s Beach wave, with the audience’s energetic responses increasing to match the performers’ vivacity. Song by electrifying song, the high-octane performance crescendos into a pulsing, feel-good haze, as the band shows us just how multi-talented and multi-faceted they are. From the gentle, summery sound of ‘Midnight Driving’ to the infectious chorus and standout moment of ‘Cheerleader,’ a fan favourite that had everyone vocal, we are all part of the same fabulous moment.
So, this was a night of emotional depth and musical versatility; a juxtaposition between the zest and excitement of the new combined with the emotional maturity, sheer professionalism, and ease of communication of those who absolutely know how to hook a crowd.
With their fast-growing fan base, we very much doubt we will be able to see Teenage Dads in such an intimate setting again. Tonight, they gave us a truly memorable evening of chromatic, kaleidoscopic live performance, undeniable charm, and a rewarding sensation of participating in something significant.
TEENAGE DADS played Islington O2 2 Academy on 29 05 2024
Support from Permanent (JOY)
