Live: Young Kato / The Propellers

12th November

The Ruby Lounge

6.5/10

Young Kato, as well as supporting act the Propellers, are two young bands who have both nailed the niche on radio-friendly indie pop. Young Kato especially has been on the receiving end of much hype and exposure with singles such as ‘Drink, Dance, Play’ being highlighted on the Made in Chelsea soundtrack as well as recently headlining the first ‘Played in Chelsea’ gig in London. However, despite “up and coming” citations and much recent exposure, there was an unexpectedly small crowd at the Ruby Lounge where the bands performed.

Supporting act Propellers, whose infectious choruses of songs such as the band’s first single ‘Midnight Kiss’ and new single ‘Meow’ have won over many, were not helped by the fact that they played to a vaguely interested crowd rounding out under 30 people who were clearly there to see Young Kato, and there was an aura of ambivalence that could not be overcome. However, in some ways, their performance outshone that of Young Kato’s, who at times seemed like they were merely going through the motions, despite having several fairly well-established singles to draw upon. Tommy Wright, lead vocalist of the band, spoke afterwards about the theme of ‘celebration’ that has gone into the writing of his band’s songs, but an element of that was definitely missing.

However, in their relatively short time together the band have managed to procure some dedicated fans, as one woman was spotted with a tattoo of Young Kato lyrics (‘we drink and we dance and we dance and we play’)- “our first tattoo”, Wright cites. Both bands did make themselves accessible after playing and if nothing else, it’s clear their charisma, pretty-boy looks and down-to-earth attitudes coupled with an understanding of what makes pop songs work will continue to garner them fans.