Everything Everything at Somerset House

12^th July 2016

The editorial unit

The editorial unit

12 July 2016

As part of the Summer Series at Somerset House, Northumberland indie band  Everything Everything kicked started the summer in style on a cool Monday evening. Classifying themselves as “Rock and R’n’B”, the band feels more electronica and futurist than anything else. Emerging from the unique dome-like stage, they opened with To the Blade off their most recent album Go to Heaven, which was released in June last year. With their matching grey outfits, jerky beats and shining neon lights, Everything Everything gave an intergalactic performance.

Their power lies within lead singer Jonathan Higgs’ singing voice; he performs almost every number in falsetto, switching mid-song to his regular singing voice, and it’s hard to comprehend that it’s even the same person. However, the back and forth between falsetto and his natural register creates a nice melange, especially in Regret. With the help of the crowd and his fellow band members, who shout “Regret! Regret!” whilst Higgs sings, a communal moment is created between audience and band. This wasn’t each person enjoying the concert in his or her own way, but rather a shared moment with others, jamming to the band’s musical outcry.

The best demonstration of the kind of music Everything Everything produces is the hard-hitting Cough Cough. And the band is not simply about sound – combined with fierce echoes, experimental beats and a banging bass, they also highlight the meaning behind their lyrics. After performing Radiant Higgs tells his audience closing his eyes made him forget where he was; what mattered then was the intimate moment of a singer with his music.

Everything Everything were perfectly placed at the Summer Series at Somerset House with their synthpop aesthetic. They offer a new sound and style to the indie platform, and are notable for their dynamism, but they ultimately create music for a very specific group of listeners.

Samantha Katz
Photos: Andrei Grosu

For further information about Everything Everything and future events visit here.

Watch the video for Regret here: