Roundhouse Rising 2017

VANT, Sälen, Tom Grennan, Isaiah Dreads, Roundhouse, London

13th February 2017

The weather might be looking pretty grim, but at least it’s got a good soundtrack.

Words: Steven Loftin
Photos: Emma Swann
14th February 2017

Outside it may be bitterly cold, but inside the hidden gem that is the Roundhouse’s Sackler Space, BBC Introducing have put together a line up to thaw even the coldest hearts out.

Kicking the show off with thunderous beats is Dorset rapper Isaiah Dreads, mixing it up powerfully between hip hop and grime.

Next up is Bedford native Tom Grennan, with a voice that could carry through rooms three times the size, he projects his gravelly edge like he’s a young Tom Waits. With songs of love, heartbreak and soul-searching, Tom carries it all with his cheeky chap demeanour, even throwing in the occasional chuckle to his post-song silence, just to show he’s a bit of a laugh too.

Londoners Sälen then mellow things out, with their hook-heavy melodic synth pop creating more than enough heat to cure any Monday blues - and frontwoman Ellie Kamio’s deft dance moves helping to further enthral the captivated crowd.

Headliners VANT round the evening off with a flurry of riffs and righteous rock - even when frontman Mattie’s mic decides it doesn’t want to play ball. They hammer through a selection of cuts from forthcoming debut ‘Dumb Blood’, and while the singles all stand tall, it’s the lesser-known numbers that give testament to the strength of the quartet’s output - ‘Lampoon’ is a riotous, screaming song that shows the force VANT have behind their larger message.

As the freezing air beckons once more, the weather might be looking pretty grim, but at least it’s got a good soundtrack.