Adam Green and Binki Shapiro at Village Underground

Adam Green is best known for his band The Moldy Peaches, most notably featuring in hit indie film Juno with the endearing acoustic track Anyone Else But You. However, in the heart of Hackney on April 9^th Green is teamed up with Binki Shapiro, singer in pop band Little Joy.

Having been compared with The Velvet Underground and dubbed “the new Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazlewood”, the duo is expected to bring greatness to 2013. Village Underground provides an impressive setting for the night’s performance, with its combination of a rustic, brick-walled interior and giant speakers dramatically suspended from the ceiling.

The venue is full to the brim with what punters refer to as “a typical East London crowd”. Excitement gathers in the building as the final support act of the night announces he’s “off to catch the last train home”, leaving us with Green and Shapiro.

The pair are accompanied by their “room-mates” playing synth, electric guitar, bass and drums. The performance opens with the adorable Shapiro sweetly singing If You Want Me To as Green strums along with an acoustic guitar. She often turns to face him with an affectionate gaze, shaking a tambourine or returning playful dancing as he struts about the stage in tight brown leather trousers.

The vocal harmonisation of the two is heavenly, particularly in the track Just to Make Me Feel Good, with Shapiro’s soft accent complimenting Green’s trademark Lou Reed-esque vocals. On occasions Adam and Binky alternate the solo vocals but when together they are a perfect match and make for an enchanting musical collaboration. Tracks Here I Am and I Never Found Out are popular and even evoke head banging from a group of young enthusiasts. The crowd cheer with approval when Green asks if he can exhibit his dance moves, which he’s been practicing for Bunny Ranch – and he’s met with roars of laughter as he unbuttons his shirt, grinding the air as Shapiro looks on in amusement (now playing the electric guitar).

Green’s performance for Dance with Me is arguably the highlight of the night: he dives into a sea of fans who eagerly hoist him up as he swims through, singing all the while, before he is carried back to the stage where Shapiro awaits, thrashing her guitar. Village Underground has seen the modern Nancy and Lee perform, and it’s certainly made them feel good.

Verdict:  •••••

Gemma Whitfield

Photos: Jay Shaw-Baker

For further information about Adam Green and Binki Shapiro and future events visit here.

Watch the video for Just To Make Me Feel Good here: