LIVE: The Savage Nomads @ The Macbeth, 07.03.15

Saturday night, East London, it’s the place to be, and one I don’t feel quite young or cool enough to frequent. But this weekend I have very good reason to be here: The Savage Nomads are headlining the This Feeling night at The Macbeth.

Getting the live music off to a loud, rock-fuelled start are Glass Caves. Blasting out frenzied beats and raucous riffs to the packed-out venue, Glass Caves are clearly skilled at executing good, old-fashioned, rock ‘n’ roll. And growing amazing hair to match. Changing the tone completely are Thank Pablo. In attendance to launch their new single, ‘When You Coming Home?’, they treat us to gentle, folky ditties filled with emotion. Tijuana Bibles, on the other hand, set pulses racing with their explosive, sensual rock. A fantastically eclectic start to the night.

The Savage Nomads are a band set for stardom, and it’s easy to see why. The minute Cole Salewicz takes to the stage, he commands your entire attention. As the band deliver ‘Head On’, a Jesus And Mary Chain cover, with electrifying energy, the rather dapper front-man oozes a magnetizing charisma and charm as he dynamically moves across the stage, immersing the crowd in his performance.

This being the third time I’ve seen The Nomads, I can safely say that they really do just keep getting better and better. As well as a change in image, they’ve had a change in line up which really seems to have paid off. As Cole said in an interview back in 2013: “It’s crucial that a group is a cohesive effort: essentially you are a unit with everyone operating their own machinery that, triggered together in perfect synchronicity, results in shiny-shiny pop.” And they have certainly succeeded in creating this perfect synchronicity with the current line up. As Salewicz’s distinctive, deep vocals flow alongside his captivating charisma, the Miles brothers skillfully execute impressive riffs, suave bassist Tom Williams steadily delivers funky bass-lines and Louis Lacoste pounds out stomping beats like there’s no tomorrow: indeed, a perfect unit of ‘shiny, shiny pop’.

As each infinitely catchy, energy-rich tune grabs you and pulls you into its alluring groove, this set proves to be the best I’ve seen yet. From sparkly, poppy, upbeat numbers like ‘Pinkie’s Little Light’ and current single ‘Rosy Tan’, to rockier, harder hitting tracks like ‘What The Angel Said’, it’s impossible not be utterly captivated by The Savage Nomads. I can certainly see why a couple have flown all the way from Portugal for the gig.

Orange Juice, David Byrne, The Smiths… Whoever you may want to draw comparisons with, the fact is that The Savage Nomads bring something completely new to the table. They’re one of those rare instances in music these days who have created something completely unique; it cannot be confused with anyone else and there isn’t one specific genre you could pigeonhole them into. They’re not afraid to keep evolving, pushing boundaries, experimenting and working their socks off on their journey to stardom.

And Gigslutz and This Feeling even get a mention tonight, as Salewicz expresses his thanks for all the support. A perfect example of how, as well as their incredible talent, charisma and motivation, The Savage Nomads’ appreciation for any support has helped them get to where they are today. In addition to their unique, funk-fused tunes being impossible not to love, you can’t help but feel they deserve every bit of success that comes their way; their sincere dedication and gratitude is consistently evident, and wholly refreshing and endearing.

A magnificent front man, tight hooks, catchy melodies, uptempo beats and a whole lot of enthusiasm and charm: the perfect recipe for the perfect band. We weren’t lying when we said The Savage Nomads are Ones To Watch…

 

New single ‘Rosy Tan’ is out now (available to buy here), with a video coming soon. And if you want to witness The Savage Nomads live for yourself, they have a number of live dates coming up:

11th April – The Joker, Brighton

17th April – Mr Wolfs, Bristol

18th April – Lennons, Southampton

20th April – The Old Blue Last, London

14th – 16th May – The Great Escape Festival, Brighton

5th June – The Garage (downstairs), London

 

Mari Lane

@marimindles

Photo Credit: Will Ireland

Mari Lane

Mari Lane

Editor, London. Likes: Kathleen Hanna, 6Music, live music in the sunshine. Dislikes: Sexism, pineapples, the misuse of apostrophes.