Alexis Taylor at Ace Hotel

In a small, exclusive room in the bellows of the Ace Hotel in Shoreditch was Alexis Taylor. The frontman of electronic band Hot Chip performed solo to a sold-out but small show that showcased an alternative side of the singer. Alongside him on stage were a bassist and drummer, both of whom switched between keyboards and electronic percussive instruments. Taylor played both guitar and keyboards, and deferred to his drummer to take over on guitar for certain tracks.

This show and tour was in part to promote his upcoming solo album Await Barbarians.  He played through the whole record of music that was beautiful and melancholy, recalling a crossbreed of Radiohead and The Beatles, with some electronic instrumentation and ambiance. There were hints of reggae, very subtle and at times brooding, but not overbearingly so. Taylor retained his quirkiness, wearing a button-down shirt and large framed glasses. The typically whiny quality of his voice was still evident, but nonetheless complimented the music very well.

The Ace Hotel did a fabulous job balancing out the mix of the members on stage, as well as providing an effective lightshow, fluttering blue and green.  The audience had a sense that they were being serenaded in an all-exclusive lounge – a great gig to go to at sundown on Sunday, safe in the knowledge of a bank holiday the next day.  Be sure to check out Taylor and his new solo effort Await Barbarians, which is to be released in June.

 Joe Hoffman
Photos: Isaac Cambridge

For further information and future events visit Alexis Taylor’s website here.

Watch the video for Without A Crutch here: