The Whip + Late of the Pier at Bowery Ballroom

The Whip at Bowery Ballroom 4.1.09

I was first introduced to Manchester’s The Whip last summer when they played McCarren Park Pool. In perfect form with smuggled in sangria, I was won over by catchy tunes like Trash and Blackout. With a female on drums (so badass), the thrashy clash of synths, keyboard, bass, guitar and a very lively front man The Whip turned Bowery Ballroom into a dancefloor before Late of the Pier took the stage (much later.)

The Whip’s debut album X Marks Destination was finally released in the states last month, and it’s a definite must on any summer playlist.

Late of the Pier at Bowery Ballroom, 4.1.09

Late of the Pier may have been going for an irony factor (it was April Fools day) as set up time took an hour after The Whip. By that time, the crowd of youngsters was growing a bit restless.

Like everyone else, I enjoyed the band’s lauded debut Fantasy Black Channel, but I must say that the band’s energy level was not up to my expectations. No doubt that they are talented musicians and deliver great sound onstage, but after dancing along to The Whip I was hoping to keep up the momentum. Late of the Pier delivered a late and very short set, of which Heartbeat was the definite highlight. I look forward to catching them next time around, which I hope will see a more seasoned performance.

MP3 : The Whip – Frustration (Van She Remix) or zShare

MP3: Late of the Pier – The Bears Are Coming (Metronomy Remix) or zShare