White Lies
Out of the darkness and into the gloom come White Lies taking shelter in their own intense post-punk sound-scapes. Carrying blatant influence from Ian Curtis, lead singer Harry McVeigh’s voice echoes around the Academy with a disturbing morbidity. Lyrics of self-abuse and yearning calls for a loved one left unanswered, it seems that the apocalyptic snowfall outside was not where the bleakness ended. One power chord later and 'Unfinished Business' is set alight.
Though assuming frontman responsibilities, McVeigh seems intent on shoe-gazing throughout and it takes their human drum machine, Jack Lawrence-Brown to add some much needed rhythm. Despite such an absorbing opening their set meanders, taking influences from The Killers’ reliance on keyboards to the epic traits of Joy Division via Editors. With song titles such as 'To Lose My Life', this really should not be as agreeable as it is. The band barely move from the spot whence they began and simply allow the fervour of their powerful repertoire to speak for itself.
Only until their closer, 'Death', does McVeigh finally survey the appreciative crowd. For the only point tonight the band actually seem to be enjoying themselves, as if having a number one album was not quite enough.