• Reviews

• All
• Music
• DVDs
• Live
• Cinema
• TV
• Books
• Comic Books
• Video Games

Jun 21, 2011 By Laura Studarus Photography by Wendy Lynch Redfern Friendly Fires

Seeing Friendly Fires live is a bit like stepping into a disco ball. Audibly at least. The sound swirls around you, tightly wound verses exploding into lush, melodic choruses. (In the case of this happening at the Henry Fonda, way too loudly and far too filled with distortion.) Look closely—you can see the sparkles in the air.

Performance polished to a sheen, the British trio put on an exuberant performance—vocalist Ed Macfarlane dancing as though attempting to secure his slot in the world’s coolest salsa competition. Drummer Jack Savidge and guitarist Edd Gibson seemed to be content to let Macfarlane’s swagger take center stage, however, both emerged from their choice instruments for a turn at the mike (and cowbell) during “On Board.”

The set list wisely interspersed upbeat cuts off new album Pala with (seemingly now classic) cuts from their 2008 self-titled debut—giving the audience a chance to ease into the newer material while still getting to dream about that one day…when we’re gonna live in Paris. Strictly danceable numbers, the audience did just that, turning the floor into a sea of gyrating bodies. To Friendly Fires: a heartfelt thank you for getting notoriously aloof Los Angeles hipsters to dance. (To the girl in front of me who jammed her spiked heel into my foot: I accept this was no more the highlight of your evening than mine, but…oww!) Keep grooving Friendly Fires, even when your energy far outstrips ours we’ll still be limping along side you. (www.wearefriendlyfires.com)