Live Review
Years & Years, Village Underground, London
21st June 2014
It’s clear that Years & Years are an act in bloom.
Having steadily warmed hearts across the past months with a glowing repertoire of glossy electro-pop and emotive R&B, it’s clear that Years & Years are an act in bloom, so it’s little surprise to see the fresh-faced trio billed for a candy-coloured Kitsuné showcase on the evening of summer solstice.
It’s as clear as day from the offset that shining frontman Olly Alexander is a performer made for the stage. His years as an actor might play some part in that, but the humble excitement and playfulness lining his toothy smiles leave no doubts as to why the audience have stars in their eyes. “I’m so happy to see you all here, I didn’t think anyone was going to show up”, he says, as peaking icebreaker ‘Foundation’ marks an animated opening to this radiant show.
The club setting is wholly conducive to Years & Years’ kaleidoscope of pop magnetism – their shows often move through the gears with the smoother dynamics of Olly’s soulful piano ballads, but they keep it upbeat for this performance. With that kind of ambidexterity it’s easy to gauge the musical depth this band possess. They play their cards right – a cover of Blu Cantrell and Sean Paul’s ‘Breathe’ erupts as a mass sing-a-long to tear the whole house down. And with the dancehall vibe of new single ‘Take Shelter’ following, the atmosphere stays pumped.
With endearing grace they eventually wind up to climactic show-closer ‘Real’, but only after Olly’s luminous charm melts the crowd once again. It’s dedicated to their “crazy-talented” producer Andy Smith, who performs later on the bill as Lxury, and it is a sweet moment to top off a sugar-scattered performance. ‘Real’ is a phantasm of beaming melodies and explosive choruses that boast a glimmering truth: these boys are set to go solar - get swept away as soon as you can.
Read More
Years & Years, Liam Gallagher & more bring Mad Cool 2023 to a triumphant close
Red Hot Chili Peppers headlined the final day of this year's Madrid festival.
12th July 2023, 2:42pm
Mighty Hoopla is a gloriously inclusive queer celebration, with a hefty weighting on nostalgia
Let's do the time warp again with the Brockwell Park weekender.
7th June 2023, 12:40pm
Years & Years, Fatboy Slim, Four Tet and more set to play Love Saves The Day 2023
SG Lewis, Romy, Nia Archives and Kelis are also among the names announced.
26th January 2023, 12:00am
Years & Years - Night Call
4 Stars
A horny soundtrack of the the Great Global Hook-Up Drought of 2020/1.
21st January 2022, 12:00am
With Bob Vylan, St Vincent, girl in red, Lizzy McAlpine and more.