Live Review Girlpool, Scala, London 15th September 2015

Walking onto stage, Girlpool ask “what’s up?”, adding between songs how grateful they are to be playing “so far from home”. Opening with ‘Ideal World’, the pair weave their way effortlessly through an entrancing set, the title track from recently-released debut ‘Before The World Was Big’ receiving a particularly warm welcome. Their simplistic set-up – just the duo’s amps on stage and minimal lighting - makes the capacity venue feel more like a friend’s front room than a reasonably-sized venue in the heart of London.

This comes to the fore wonderfully during their haunting rendition of ‘Emily’, as their youthful spirit echoes around the room. ‘Crowded Stranger’ proves another highlight with the chorus’ distorted guitar working perfectly in harmony with the vocals whilst the ever so slightly off-key harmonies of ‘Chinatown’ echo around, making the gig feel even more intimate.

Main set closer ‘Cherry Picking’ receives an entrancing performance. There is a dampener – on returning for an encore Cleo Tucker calls out a (female) audience member’s unpleasant heckle directed at her band mate: “it’s not cool”.

The crowd still wants more as the pair finish with ‘Pretty’, but the night will live on - atmospheric and moving with a near-perfect performance.