Having taken a 5 year hiatus since his breakthrough debut, “We Have Sound“, it would be fair to assume that Tom Vek might have to work hard to drum up a big following at new tour dates. But it seems that Vek’s debut has managed to maintain a very strong cult fanbase, and coupled with quality new album “Leisure Seizure” and the excellent singe A Chore, the Institute fills up quickly with a mix of early noughties indie fans (now a little older and perhaps smug that they were there first time around) and a new generation of kids looking for a more interesting alternative to Friendly Fires-style landfill dance-rock.
First up are Breton, who get heads nodding and toes tapping with their energetic, sample heavy beats. Their tunes, despite being a little samey, show a strong melodic sense and some interesting changes of direction, often building into some shouty, chaotic climaxes. But as soon as Vek and his band hit the stage, launching straight into “We Have Sound“‘s classic lead off single C-C (You Set The Fire In Me), it’s clear there is proper love still for his somewhat unfashionable groove heavy pop. In fact it’s often hard to hear Vek’s lazy London drawl over the crowd singing along.
Vek rifles through his hour long set with a minimum of fuss, and little interaction with the crowd. The new songs from “Leisure Seizure” come across strongly, especially the sudden burst of speed midway through A.P.O.L.O.G.Y and the ping-pong bounce of Aroused. Of course, the biggest crowd reactions are saved for tunes from his debut, especially the storming I Ain’t Saying My Goodbyes, but all the old songs seem to have much more weight to them. Vek’s band are adept at beefing up the tunes, and as he closes out with A Chore the crowd are left baying for an encore. It’s a shame Vek doesn’t give it to them, but doesn’t that old adage say ‘always leave them wanting more’? If that’s the case, mission accomplished.
