Official Secrets Act at O2 Academy Islington

Official Secrets Act at O2 Academy Islington

17 June, 2009
by: Jayrock

It's been a long time since I used to read the musical version of Heat magazine, NME, pawing over images of sweaty nubile hipsters, jostling for position in one of many faceless Camden sound holes, so it was refreshing to discover that when they put their name to touting a band it can still mean that said band is talented and, well, good.

Tonight's line up at the NME 'Festival Launch', a gig where the tickets could be attained via a competition on their website, consists of Kill it Kid and Official Secrets Act, both of whom, rather shamefully, I have never heard of.

Not surprisingly, O2 Academy Islington is populated (although not packed, perhaps due to the fun-filled tube strike) with cutesy late teens gagging for some sonic action to wash down the overpriced alcohol.

Bristolian quintet Kill it Kid's unique raw, dirty blues sound complete with jaunty violin almost instantly impresses. Lead singer Chris Turpin has a phenomenal husky whisky voice (think Tom Waits / Joe Cocker) that is frighteningly massive for someone of his age and stature. It can be a bit in-your-face (occasionally reminiscent of outtakes from The Commitments) but fortunately he shares vocals with keyboardist Steph Ward whose gorgeous, rich tones provide a perfect counterbalance.

Headliners Official Secrets Act are, quite simply, fantastic. The band is slick and full of energy and their repertoire is eclectic, innovative and unpredictable. The melancholic Cure-like timbre of some songs sits comfortably alongside sparkly glam pop rock gumption punctuated by synth beeps and whizzles. Lead singer Tom Burke is everything you could want in a front man – charismatic, cocky, camp and cool, Bowie one minute and Brian Molko the next.

Tonight they are performing without drummer Alex Mackenzie, who is laid up in hospital with broken vertebra; however his replacement is noticeably brilliant. He wins me over with his awesome purple velvet jacket and his 'come to bed' voice and when harmonising a capella with Burke it's all I can do not to conjure up an oversized hook and steal him.

Official Secrets Act are playing at Glastonbury for the first time this year and then touring in support of Athlete (urghh!). Deservedly signed to One Little Indian records (as are Kill it Kid), their debut album 'Understanding Electricity' is probably worth a listen, although its hard to imagine that performing live is not what they do best.

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Jayrock