Tribes at the Roundhouse

After their impressive debut album, Baby, in 2011 and subsequent sold-out gigs all over the UK, Tribes come back to promote their new album Wish to Scream at the Roundhouse. With their career starting on a rooftop in Camden Town, they feel right at home: “It’s good to be back” announces lead singer Johnny Loyd, and it is clear that the crowd of underage girls feels the same.

It is obvious from the beginning that the fans can already sing along to the new tracks released less than 24 hours before the doors opened, but it is definitely the tracks off Baby that people cherish.  Despite the band’s ghoulish appearance on Whenever, with ghostly black and white light, there is an atmosphere of festival at the Roundhouse. The boys are here to impress, girls on their arms; beer is flowing, offering a drinking beat to the concert. Youngsters crowd surf, and red and orange lighting effects throughout recall sun setting on a field, emphasising the impression of an outdoor gig. The crowd is here to regain the melancholic power of Baby and get in the mood for a summer of festivals.

Girlfriend and Graceland are well received, but old track Corner of an English Field and later Sappho start a real sing-along at the Roundhouse. The red lights are warmly oppressive and the sound of the new member on keyboards is drowned by the heavy guitar riffs. The lamps at the back of the stage switch off and on like lighthouses during Halfway Home, and the minor guitar solo doesn’t disturb the loving public who recognise one another in the lyrics.

The interplay between the first and new albums continues with better responses from the masses on the older, less mellow tracks. Their powerful lyrics are as vivid as the crowd’s reaction and an ocean of waving arms spontaneously punch the air on Not So Pretty and later Bad Apple. We Were Children shakes the walls of the Roundhouse – undoubtedly the favourite. Coming of Age as encore starts with acoustic guitar and solo vocals, soon joined onstage by the rest of the band.

Tribes doesn’t need to conquer Camden, they own it.

Verdict: ★★★★★

Carole Mendy

Photos: Charlotte Bruning

For further information about Tribes and future events visit here.

Watch the video for Corner of an English Field here: