Hinds, Boston Arms, London review • DIY Magazine

Have you ever felt the urge to pick up a guitar and form a band? Hinds’ (FKA Deers) unstoppable formula is guaranteed to tickle almost anyone’s musical bone. These bubbly Spaniards grew up listening to latter-day surf garage (Black Lips, Dead Ghost), but have also carefully studied 60s pop and extracted all those fun choruses - and have claimed them as their own with their ridiculously engaging charisma.

This show at the Boston Arms has been sold out for months, the hype might have helped them sell tickets, but when it came down to the live performance they're as infectious and refreshing as you'd expect them to be. Headbanging, dancing around and smiling at each other, Ana, Carlotta, Ade and Amber go over their (still) small catalogue, throwing catchy riffs in the air and creating a vibrant unique atmosphere both on and off stage.

‘Trippy Gum’ and ‘Bamboo’ get the biggest cheers, but also new songs like the beach-ready ‘San Diego’ are received as future classics. Hinds' skills and dynamic have been honed since their first London show only a few months ago, but there's something else different about tonight. The crowd sing most of the lyrics back at them and you can tell the quartet feel very emotional about it. "We love coming down to play here, it's like playing to a big family." singer Ana says with a huge smile.

The final song, a contagious take on Thee Headcoatees' ‘Davey Crockett’, triggers a massive stage invasion, and even thought the ladies try to explain they have no more songs to play the fans aren’t ready to leave yet. "OK, lets play "Bamboo" again then?" An impromptu encore with a chaotic version of their debut single finishes off the proceedings on a remarkable high. For Hinds this is only the beginning of an amazing year, rest assured that the future of carefree rock and roll is in good hands.

Photos: Carolina Faruolo

Tags: Hinds, Neu, Reviews, Live Reviews