In a room above Tufnell Park’s Boston Arms, on an arguably normal Wednesday evening, the lights fade to black and the crowd falls silent as the sound of a trumpet indicates the start of Swim Deep’s weird-but-wonderful NME Awards Show set, a one-off gig in association with Austin, Texas. It’s been a hell of a year for Swim Deep; after a dramatic change in genre, progressing from their dream-pop roots to a more psychedelic indie-rock; the release of their second album, Mothers; and their first UK headline tour since 2013, it’s great to see the band so invigorated and passionate about their new sound.
The set list delicately balances the old with the new, ensuring the satisfaction of both the group’s long-time dedicated fans, and the newcomers who are experiencing one of Swim Deep’s shows for the very first time. Opening with ‘Francisco’ and ‘Honey’ from the band’s first studio album, Where The Heaven Are We, the crowd falls into a frenzy as they recognize the iconic songs that first introduced them to the band, almost four years ago. More recent releases such as ‘Namaste’ and ‘One Great Song And I Could Change The World’ ensure the constant crush of young people moshing at the front of the venue are not given a chance to pause for breath.
The sense of enjoyment felt by Swim Deep’s members radiates out from the stage and into the crowd. It’s overwhelming. “We’ve missed ya” screams a newly bleach blonde Austin Williams, the band’s front man, as the crowd’s enthusiasm sustains the entirety of the set. It is obvious that these boys still get their kicks from playing live, and are exhilarated by the amount of people who have turned up to watch them play. The recurring presence of a trumpeter on stage adds an extra spark to the ensemble, and is a treat for the crowd who have not before seen this element introduced into the band’s live sets.
Kaleidoscopic green and blue lights contribute to the band’s other-worldly performance during the harmonious vocals and retro synth sounds of ‘Forever Spacemen’ and ‘Imagination’. Further songs such as ‘Is Anybody Out There?’ reflect the psychedelic and space-themed influences behind the new album. However, it’s the tender first notes of one of Swim Deep’s original singles, ‘She Changes the Weather’, that brings the crowd to a brief stand still, the lyrics “She takes my time // She grows the flowers in my mind” evoking fond memories of childhood sweethearts and summer romances. The band’s performance of this song is magical, and it is clear that it’s still as special to them as it was upon it’s first release.
Finishing the set with both an old and a new hit, ‘King City’ and ‘Fueiho Boogie’ fulfill the crowds demands for an encore. Before leaving the stage for good, Austin takes a moment to thank the audience for their support. “It means the world to Swim Deep” he states as the night draws to a close, and it is clear from the band’s performance that it really, really does.
Words by Kate Eldridge