Live: 2:54 @ Deaf Institute

2:54
The Deaf Institute
4th April
4 stars

The moment London-based 2:54 appear on stage there is a change in the wind; a sudden tension in the air. A low mumble of chatter turns to silence as guitar comes fast, dark and moody. This is melancholy lo-fi pop. A killer combination.

Sisters Collette and Hannah Thurlow make up one half of the band whilst drummer Alex Robbins and bassist Joel Porter form the other, keeping things gender neutral. Guitarist Hannah is every bit a rock’n’roll dream in black leather while lead singer Collette is equally as enthralling; with lips painted crimson and clothed in a long white silk dress. It is a struggle to take my eyes off of her, but somehow I manage it, and with a sweeping glance to the audience it is clear that I am not the only one transfixed. Ladies and gents alike are drawn to both her wavering voice and dramatic, beautifully hostile, singing style.

A perfect complement to the haunting vocals is the unrelenting guitar: distorted, serious and at its most unsettling on ‘Creeping’. Familiar songs seem to take on a new life, becoming close to unrecognisable at times, lifted by the atmosphere of it all. It isn’t until the chorus of ‘Cold Front’ that I realise I’ve even heard the song before. If they can capture the same sentiment on record, they’ll be on to a good thing.

In keeping with the bands brooding image, conversation is kept to a minimum. The atmosphere is only broken when necessary by singer Collette, to whisper the name of a song or to thank the crowd in soft London tones. Although some people prefer their live music with a side of comedy, this is a band that certainly doesn’t need to be funny.

2:54 – You’re Early