In the grace of The Rapture’s love: A revival at Shepherd’s Bush Empire

This was the moment of a glorious comeback for The Rapture. The rebirth of a New York band coming back to its post-punk dancing theme after five years of unlucky attempts. It is difficult to work out what went wrong over the last few years. After their break from the music scene, the band has returned to their first label, DFA, after a troubled relationship with major label, Universal. The Rapture is back with fresh influences and flourishing sounds in the form of In the Grace of Your Love and with The Rapture’s frontman Luke’s family photograph on the cover, you can be sure this time they are back with a whole different direction.

Growing up alongside Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins and the Pixies records, The Rapture list a wide range of music genres and influences. From the “grungy” tendencies of some songs like Echoes, to the more melodic and rhythmic tunes such as Blue Bird from the last album, the band gives the greatest performance live on stage.

A minimalistic stage set-up is presented — no need for spectacular visual effects. One by one, The Rapture come on stage, opening the night with a long version of In the Grace of Your Love: a reflective opening statement for the band’s new artistic, musically inspired era. 

The dark and gloomy atmosphere fuses within this new electronic-oriented mood; tunes such as Come Back to Me, Never Gonna Die Again and How Deep is Your Love? personified the new indie, alternative-pop touch, the outcome of a collaboration with Philippe Zdar, producer of Phoenix and member of Cassius.

Whereas London’s indie scene usually can be pictured climaxing in a crescendo of cheering and excitement, it has to be said that The Rapture’s live performance last night lacked the initial “nodding-head-sipping-beer” moment, and went straight to an explosion of exultation which carried on until the final second of the show.

We can give a huge thumbs up to The Rapture for re-inventing themselves and for their fantastic performance. They have successfully combined their deep and meaningful lyrics (It Takes Time to Be a Man) with a new “music spirit”. Their sound is reminiscent of a modern style, teamed with a grungy, rock ’n’ roll attitude.

The Rapture’s performance was brilliantly interpreted from the start to the end and it is clear to see that the time off and change of music label has paid off!

Giulia Frigieri

For further information and future gigs visit the band’s website here.

Listen to In the Grace of Your Love here: