We Are Scientists

Leeds Festival 2007 review

By Tommy Jackson | Published: Thu 13th Sep 2007

Friday 24th to Sunday 26th August 2007
Bramham Park, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS23 6ND, England MAP
£145 for weekend (including camping), £62.50 for any day each day - Sat & Sun tix only
Daily capacity: 55,000
Last updated: Tue 7th Aug 2007

New York three-piece We Are Scientists have taken their time over it, but they have crept up into the musical consciousness of the indie boys and girls of this country, and clearly don't feel like moving now. With their debut album 'With Love and Squalor' being one of the most danceable albums of the last couple of years, and the reputation of their live shows as being nothing less than formidable, it is good to see them so high up the bill tonight, and also to see so many people packed into the tent to witness one of the sets of the weekend.

Keith Murray and co. are on fine form. They tear through the majority of the album, as well as a few new tracks destined to appear on the upcoming 'difficult' second long-player. If tonight's showing is anything to go by, the new album will be at least equal to the impressive debut.

Stand out track of the night is 'It's a Hit', which the band attack with a venom which is tangible, whilst 'Inaction' is glorious in it's scathing nihilism, and 'Cash Cow' simply stunning.

We Are Scientists

One of the many delights of this band is that they clearly enjoy themselves on stage. There's no shoegazing self loathing here, just corking tunes from start to finish, with the odd joke thrown in for good measure. The biggest laugh of the set comes when Murray announces the end of their set. He explains sarcastically to the masses that they have to go now, because if they keep playing "you won't be able to go see the last hour of the Chili Peppers", before launching into a horrendous take on the riff from 'Give It Away'.

On this form, the new album could easily trump the first, and catapult We Are Scientists into the position of acclaim which they surely deserve. There is something truly different about their act, and it is something which cannot be allowed to pass unnoticed by the masses.
review by: Tommy Jackson

photos by: Tommy Jackson


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