Savages

These are dark times for the masses in the UK as girl goth, post-punk outfit Savages take to the stage of The Forum, one of North London's most iconic venues. They fill the 2,500 capacity venue with darkness and an intensity that feels more like a war bunker than a converted cinema. The London based band kick off the show with a track taken from their debut album, entitled ‘I Am Here,’ and here they are shrouded in the same mystery and intrigue as they always had when touring the basement bars of East London. The band have come a long way since those days, releasing Mercury nominated album 'Silence Yourself' in 2013. But, as their performance tonight shows, they haven't lost a drop of the intensity and angst they delivered so successfully early on in their career as they burst into the instantly recognisable bass line of 'Shut Up'. The crowd march to the hypnotic rhythms in appreciation, a mutual appreciation it seems, as commanding front woman Jehnny Beth announces to the capacity crowd "I would pay to see you." It’s apparent throughout their set that Joy Division is as much an influence on the band live as they are in the studio. Beth’s lyrics drive each track forward in the spirt which encapsulates the anger felt by the British public in the current climate. The Forum was once upon a time a cinema and Savages deeply pessimistic sound of sorrow is a cinematic reflection of Tory Britain in 2014. Not all bands need to be political but when no bands say anything there is a problem, tonight Savages amplify the feeling of wider society as they come to the end of their set. "Husbands" gets the biggest cheer of the night but there is no hiding the anger behind final track "Fuckers" as the crowd join in chanting "Don’t let the fuckers get you down." This is dark escapism at its best, there may be no hope or optimism in Savages' deeply dark and aggressive sound but we should be optimistic that finally a band speaks for the people and gives them something to love.

Savages - Adore Life album launch at New Slang - Kingston. 28th January 2015

I hadn’t been to a Savages gig nor to the Hippodrome previously and, upon arrival, was a little dubious of the choice of venue (big nightclubs are not my style these days) After spending nearly £10 on two small bottles of Bud I opined to my partner that Savages will need to put on a good show to make this a memorable visit to the western fringe London!
My spirits rose just before the start when the sound system started to pump out a Nisennenmondai track which built the anticipation levels perfectly. What followed was as close to a perfect night of rock music as I have ever experienced. From the first song I felt something special was happening, that before me was an artist and performer that had something to say and palpably wanted/needed to connect with the audience. No mumbled asides between songs or shoegazing here!
The band are tight but relaxed, providing a driving wall of sound. Jehnny Beth’s muscular vocals effortlessly push the song lyrics through the wall and into the hearts and minds of the audience. New songs are weaved in and amongst the old and are received with equal fervour. Writhing bodies rise and surf towards the front, flailing and falling into what is normally the void between audience and stage. But tonight there is no void. The audience becomes an active participant in this celebration of love, life and rock ‘n’ roll. Jehnny steps forward several times and climbs onto the supporting arms of the front rows. Clasping the outstretched hands her eyes sparkling with an energy that seems to transfer as they briefly make contact with mine. Tonight we become Savages. Tonight we Adore Life.

"THE WORLD USED TO BE SILENT NOW IT HAS TOO MANY VOICES AND THE NOISE IS A CONSTANT DISTRACTION" Savages' poignant message, which is more relevant than ever in a growing world of instant communication, is displayed articulately through both their sound and presence. Their high intensity performances smothered with heavy bass and soaring vocals demand nothing less than your undivided commitment to their showcase, giving a level of intimacy to the venue. In attempt to further seclude ticket holders from the outside world, flyers are tactfully stuck around, which read, "SILENCE YOUR PHONES" to encourage (or command) the audience to pledge their full attention to their performance. It almost feels as if the band are giving an alarming speech "The world's a dead sorry hole and I'm cold, and I'm cold, and I'm cold and I'm stubborn" as Jehnny Beth sings, almost tearful, "There are suicides in every dreams, oh Marshal Dear, even more when the army's on it's knees." Their debut 'Silence Yourself' is dark and emotive, yet controlling. Even before listening a sense of power is asserted through blunt and unforgiving song titles, 'She Will,' 'Hit Me' and 'Shut Up.' Savages cannot easily be compared to the likes of many bands today, however, looking back, they can be too easily compared to the likes of Joy Division and Siouxie And The Banshees. This post punk revival has not gone completely unnoticed however as 'Silence Yourself' has peaked at number 5 in both the UK and Irish independent album charts, as well as number 19 in the UK Official Album Charts.

The Savages 1st came to my attention when I saw them on the Jools Holland show promoting their 1st album Slience Yourself which I went out and brought the next day
This was their final gig of their European tour and the 1st time I have seen them live and also the 1st time I have been to the Roundhouse
to say I was blown away is an understatement , first the support band Bo Ningen were amazing so full of energy and visually you couldnt take your eyes off them . I hadnt heard of them before but I would now go out of my way to see them again and will be buying their music , if anything their moment on stage was too short!
Then the Savages themselves playing songs from their latest record Adore Yourself and Slience Yourself they sound even better live then on record, Beth is so charismatic she is like the love child of Siouxsie Sioux and Ian Curtis from Joy Division . The title track Adore Yourself is already surely a classic song. At the end of a fantastic set which also saw Beth walk out on the crowds hands the band were joined by the members of Bo Ningem and together they belted out a great version of Dont let the fuckers get you down. A great night that made me feel 56 years young and my 21 year old daughter loved it as much as me

I'd never been to the Albert Hall before and was certainly impressed by this refitted church - great for a concert venue when you think about it. After waiting patiently for around an hour I was treated to the kooky and chaotic sound of Japanese 'noise rock' band Bo Ningen. This four piece were in the zone and LOUD. A good warm up. After resetting the stage Savages appeared out of the dry ice and blue lighting to uproar. The room exploded. They burst straight into a couple of frantic songs from 'Adore Life' and the crowd responded. A few older numbers from their 2013 album 'Silence Yourself' were peppered in but they went on to do each song from the new album...and it went down a storm. Singer Jehny Beth walked across the crowd of welcoming raised hands (a regular occurrence now) and as they wound down with the title track and a few favourite the crowd gave a warm thank you with cheers and applause which they took in good grace. Thoroughly recommend Savages and this great venue.

One of the best smaller concerts I have been to in many years, I was near the front and the first thing Jehnny Beth, did was crowd surf, she must of done it about 5 or 6 times, engaged the audience fully, lots and lots of fun, very tight little band, good drums good bass, good contact with the audience. Mostly full throttle with some slower pieces, even a short emotional talk from Jehnny Beth, i don't know what she was talking about, but it was touching, perhaps something about a break-up. I won't wash my right hand for awhile, because she grabbed hold of it for abit, not just a handshake, but nice hold on for awhile. FUN CONCERT.

Wow what an experience! I saw them in July of 2013 at Webster Hall and was very impressed. Even Yoko Ono was there (Oh Yoko!). Last night at Irving Plaza I was blown away. Jehnny Beth has developed into a cannot miss performer. She had my attention the entire show. The band was amazing and I can wait to see them again. SAVAGES is a great band to see live!

One of the better rock shows I've seen in a few years. The music was unreal(especially those fat bass lines) and the singer was incredible. I haven't witnessed something like that in calgary for a while. For a city that usually sits with their arms crossed and heads bobbing this girl had everyone involved and banging their head. What a show!!

Amazing energy! She really knows how to captivate the croud. It was my 3rd savages gig and the best so far (and I thought the other 2 were amazing already). Was afraid how the new album would be live but they definitely proved they can do it! I was holding jenny's leg before she jumped into the croud xD

Awesome!!!
Something Else to say?
I think not. The concert was pretty good.
The girls played with energy like Bo Ningen as well. They had total control about what they were doing there, and their performance was really energetic.
Congratulations!