WALK THE MOON // O2 FORUM KENTISH TOWN, LONDON
WALK THE MOON RETURN TO LONDON IN A COLOURFUL EXPLOSION OF RHYTHMIC INDIE POP
WALK THE MOON PERFORMING AT O2 FORUM KENTISH TOWN, LONDON - 11.04.18 PICTURE: NICOLE STEWART RUSHWORTH PHOTOGRAPHY
★★★★☆
Starting the night off with a bang were the indie synth rockers, Flor. The band might be
fronted by vocalist Zachary Grace but the chemistry between the bandmates on stage is
utterly palpable. Each band member from Dylan Bauld on bass, guitarist McKinley Kitts, and
drummer Kyle Hill has their place on stage and is given their opportunity to shine during the
set. After releasing their debut album come out, you're hiding in mid-2017 they are poised
for great things. They’ve clearly already gleaned a loyal following from the crowd with
people singing along to their catchy choruses. It would be easy to see them playing the likes
of Reading and Leeds or Glastonbury over the coming summers.
It’s been several years since the Cincinnati group graced London town and they have been
missed. From the moment the lights dimmed and the Lion King’s 'Circle of Life' introduced the band the neon-painted crowd were frenzied as the group launched into 'Press Restart', the opening song from their new album What If Nothing. It’s a memorable song that when listening to the Walk the Moon’s back catalogue catches you off guard, it’s very different to a lot of their previous work and accurately reflects the album’s theme of starting over when you’ve been knocked back. The opening few minutes are dressed in near total darkness, with the odd flash of colour. However the band then waste no time breaking into 'Portugal' with colourful lights, strobes, and plenty of opportunities for dancing.
After a breakup that inspired a lot of their new work, lead singer Nicholas Petricca is clearly
living the band’s works. With tangible energy from the moment they come on stage, during
every song and break right up to the end. Their new work is clearly an introspective piece
for all the members, after the unexpected hiatus in 2016 after the summer of 2015 that saw
'Shut Up and Dance' skyrocket them to worldwide fame it is amazing to see them back in
stunning form. Their newfound introspective and reflections what brought them to where they are makes their performance so much more powerful.
The setlist pulled from all three albums, mixing new with old, contrasting where they were
and where they are. For those who discovered the band when 'Shut Up and Dance' was on
every radio station imaginable, to those who have been with them since their debut single
'Anna Sun', every fan was catered to. They are a band who really live for the audience: from
the start they have painted their faces and made sure there was paint for the audience as
well, with the fans having kept the tradition alive, painting each others faces and embracing
each other as they dance.
Featuring tracks such as 'Lisa Baby', 'Different Colours' and 'Next In Line', the show was a
nonstop exuberant display of vibrant energy that lifted the spirits of Kentish Town. Finishing
the main set on 'Headphones', it was a loud, heavy finish that exploded into the encore.
Closing on 'Up 2 U' and their debut single, 'Anna Sun', they held the final notes for as long as
possible, drawing out their triumphant return to London.
As someone who has followed the band since hearing them back in 2012 on Radio 1, the
night was an absolute delight: full of old songs that remain fresh in my mind; to the new
tracks in which I may have found a few which will stay with me for a long time to come.
SETLIST - | WALK THE MOON - O2 FORUM KENTISH TOWN, LONDON - 11.04.2018
Press Restart
Portugal
Lisa Baby
Kamikaze
All I Want
Shiver Shiver
Avalanche
Aquaman (Acoustic)
Surrender
Tightrope
Different Colors
Shut Up and Dance
Lost in the Wild
Tiger Teeth
One Foot
Next in Line
Headphones
ENCORE:
Up 2 U
Anna Sun