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The kings and queens of dream pop had London shoegazing again in their return to the UK.
If you haven’t heard of Alvvays, the canadian outfit are a dreamy, soft-sung group of musicians with a name that’s divisive in pronunciation. While I’m in the camp that loves to pronounce the two v’s, I’ll concede to being incorrect, as the concert disproved me with several utterances of “always” in reference to the headline act.
That wasn’t the only disappointment of the gig, as opening act Ex-Void went above and beyond to outstay their welcome. While their performance gave hints of a band I’d love to discover on Spotify and get into their studio releases, their presence on the stage quickly got annoying. Their guitars trundled along to deliver song after song that all seemed like it blended into the same, slightly irritating melody, and just kept going and going. I’m sure my feelings toward them would change upon a listen to their records, but opening for Alvvays they fell a little bit flat.
The last little grievance suffered at the gig was by far the least troubling, and all I need to say is this, if you get balcony seats at a venue and choose the front row of said balcony, for the love of god don’t stand up. Especially if you’re blessed enough to be over six feet. That is all.
However, the headline act was a full showcase of Alvvays’ charm, talent and ability to make a concert seem like a lullaby. There was a lovely atmosphere created from the moment they began with Pharmacist, that persisted right up to the encore. Alvvays had the standing crowd swaying and swooning through their entire set, while those seated around me did the same.
Hearing all of my personal favourites from Alvvays’ three-album discography was a beautiful experience. Not My Baby was as cathartic and uplifting live as it was the first time I heard the song (and coincidentally, the band themselves) off the album. Other gems from the second studio album Antisocialites were given sweet new memories in my mind as well, with the band absolutely nailing renditions of Hey and Dreams Tonite, causing me to fall even more in love with both of them. The concert gave me a new lease on songs from the third album Blue Revthat I never thought I’d gain, as I smiled uncontrollably at tracks like Bored In Bristol, Easy On Your Own? and Very Online Guy.
One thing I discovered at the show is that I’m not the only Alvvays fan who barely understands the lyrics to their songs. In spite of their entrancing instrumentals and serene energy, frontwoman Molly Rankin has a unique ability to get away with singing, even live, without making half the lyrics clear. It sounds like condemnation, but it’s honestly astonishingly impressive.
However, that was not a problem for the inevitable live performance of arguably the band’s most iconic song, Archie, Marry Me. The longing and loving chorus was belted by every fan in the venue perfectly from the first “hey”, leading to the highlight of the whole night.
Seeing Alvvays perform was a welcome reminder that not every concert needs to be so noisy and chaotic that you leave the venue sweating. The band made every effort to recreate the sounds straight from the studio and build the same wistful and hypnotic vibe throughout their whole set. If you get a chance in the future, take seeing Alvvays as an opportunity to let someone else chill you out. It’s what they’d want for you.
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