Warpaint, Kentish Town Forum, 25 May 2011

This is the third time I've seen this band in 9 months. There has been a nice escalation - CAMP, then The Scala, tonight a sold-out-well-in-advance HMV Forum. We sat in the posh seats and watched from on high. Apparently the crowd below were somewhat rough - a female friend down there got punched and kicked by another woman. No need for that. And Warpaint? They have just increased so much in confidence, presence and poise. Jenny Lee Lindberg was comfortable simply to be  part of the anchor for Theresa Wayman and Emily Kokal, and didn't seem to want to sing much;  I took that as part of their maturation. As I did that they didn't include B.I.L.L.I.E. in the encore, although that could always have been mis-management of time versus curfew. I can only describe them as compellingly good, connecting with the heart and psyche. Add to that their artistic inventiveness, and you'll end up softly singing 'Undertow' for days afterwards. I've still got it on repeat on the internal jukebox

1. Jubilee
2. Stars
3. Bees
4. Undertow
5. Composure
6. Majesty
7. Warpaint
8. Set Your Arms Down
9. Beetles
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1. Baby
2. Elepants

I like this band a lot - here are my thoughts on the two previous Warpaint gigs I've been to

http://catshoegazing.blogspot.com/2010/08/warpaint-camp-basement-london-26-aug.html

http://catshoegazing.blogspot.com/2010/11/warpaint-scala-london-28-oct-2010.html

Support no. 1 were The Entrance Band who were really very much enjoyed by friend's friend hard rocking Aussie Katie. Generic rock. Meh, bleh, did nothing whatsoever for me, but there again neither do AC/DC

Support no. 2 were Connan Mockasin who were really very much enjoyed by no-one but me, and even I went to the toilet, and the bar, etc, etc while they were playing. They were Beefheart / Zappa-esque experimental and that must always be praised. I mean it. Wrong place, wrong time but I would cross the road to see them again.

Support no. 3 were supposed to be Crystal Stilts. Never showed up. How rude of them