Misty Miller at The Lexington

Raiders of the Last Tube have set forth to create a work-friendly, school night party. Struggling to catch the last tube home and waking up with a hangover are things of the past. Bands, DJs and MEATliquor’s famous burgers are offered as an after work treat for the taste buds and the ears.

Gliss start the early night festivities. This Danish/American fusion have created art pop with style: they play synth beats and sing haunting vocals and Victoria Cecilia shimmies delightfully as she does so. Their album Langsom Dans and performance style will strike chords with fans of Beach House and The Knife.

The main act is Misty Miller. This girl’s personality packs a punch. Thrust into the limelight by Burberry, her saccharine sweet vocals and pretty lyrics are a thing of the past. Moving on from her debut album, produced when she was merely sixteen and cradling a ukulele, Miller is now all about the bad-girl-in-a-band mentality. She is as lovely as ever, but no longer has to constantly shirk comparisons to Laura Marling.

Miller has found her own sound and it suits her: one can hear notes of a feminine Black Keys (Lonesome Cowboy) and she has all the promise of The Long Blondes distilled into one girl. That is what makes her special: she is a crowd-pleaser with the stage presence to hold her own in the male-dominated guitar playing field and her vocals are strong enough to counter the crashing of guitars and drums.

Having supported Jake Bugg on tour, she is keen to suggest her band can out party him. She is still a teenager, but a feisty one. Lyrics to Girlfriend (the title track from her EP) are infused with anger and a bitterness that is empowering, and her song Anything For You ends with tuneful screams. She interacts confidently with her crowd and fellow musicians. There is plenty of giggling with her bassist Jack and drummer Dan (who ends up in a state of undress).

Any heartbroken listeners will relate to the final track Next to You, Miller’s personal favourite. As the music slows, her beautifully high and hurt vocals shine through and then suddenly the forceful momentum returns with musical pandemonium. Miller sings of doomed relationships with all the panache of a rock ’n’ roll queen and you know that despite being knocked down she will come back loud and fighting.

Verdict: ★★★★★

Anne Higgins
Photos: Jay Shaw-Baker

For further information about Misty Miller and future events visit here.

Listen to new single Next to You here: