White Denim, a three piece from Austin, have been causing quite a stir recently. Their debut album, Workout Holiday, received critical acclaim from damn near ever angle and based on tonight’s performance it’s easy enough to see why. They arrive on stage in the sweaty bunker that is the basement of Captain’s Rest without a complaint about exhaustion or the dismal weather, before tearing into their opening number. It would have been perfect if it wasn’t for the venue speakers acting up and there being no vocals until halfway through the second song.
Wailing yelps and screeching guitars all combine to make a delightful shamble of noise that whips the crowd into a frenzy. Their performance of ‘All Your Really Have To Do Now’ proves that White Denim have what it takes to hold it together with their live performance.
White Denim’s music almost has a timeless feel about it. Yet for all that, ultimately they’re a three piece with a drumkit, a bass and a singer who plays guitar. Hardly revolutionary, but they underline that basic rock set-up, combined with tonnes of energy, is still all that’s needed to get a party started.
- Rough Trade - 18 August 2008
- White Denim - 7 August 2008
- Cadence Weapon - 27 May 2008