LIVE: Kid Wave @ The Windmill, Brixton, 05.03.15

Equipped with The Windmill’s own delicious brew, ‘Roofdog’ (whose namesake greeted me on arrival), I position myself at my local independent venue for a night of some of the best new music around.

As King TV bound onto the stage, an energised, youthful energy takes hold; their buoyant geek-rock fills the room with an endearing vibrancy and colour as catchy melodies and impressive riffs flow with ease. A very enjoyable start to the night, despite various guitar strap issues… Next, The Pearl Harts blast onto the stage with Dead Weather-esque riotous loops and tonnes of attitude. Oozing reverb-fuelled riffs and incredibly executed seething beats, this duo prove two women are all you need when it comes to rock.

As the refreshingly unpretentious, yet effortlessly cool, Kid Wave take to the stage, I realise that The Windmill is probably busier than I’ve ever seen it – and deservedly so. As the band’s trademark dreamy, chilled-out vibes begin to flow from the stage, lilting melodies fill the intimate venue and the crowd (including members of fellow London band, Childhood) are immediately transported to a Californian beach, surf board in tow, the smell of sun cream and sea salt drifting through the air. It’s impossible not to become utterly immersed in Kid Wave’s unique brand of floaty psych-rock.

Alongside Lea Emmery’s smooth, languid vocals, jangly, joyous melodies are executed as reverb echoes and frenzied beats race. From the catchy romanticism of last year’s hit, ‘All I Want,’ to the anything-but-gloomy ‘Gloom’, each track is a lot more gutsy and energy-fuelled live than the recorded versions I’ve previously heard – just what you want from a live set!

As each band member launches full-force into their performance, Kid Wave manage to exude a perfect balance of dynamic vigour with utterly uplifting cool. As hair swooshes and drums crash, a sun-drenched optimism pours out from the stage in waves with an underlying sense of gritty, youthful swagger.

Whilst Emmery keeps the banter limited, what she does say sticks: “This song’s called ‘I’m Trying To Break Your Heart’ because, sometimes, all you wanna do is break someone’s heart, right?” She’s right, and has succeeded in her attempts: this is indeed a heart-breakingly awesome set. One I feel very privileged to have witnessed at such an intimate venue, as I’m in no doubt that Kid Wave are going to be breaking hearts worldwide in the very near future.

Mari Lane

@marimindles