Bellafea, Secondsmile, Wintermute, Elks – The Lexington, London 25/10/11

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A Badge of Friendship is back at The Lexington, proudly joined by The Line of Best Fit and offering an alternative Saturday night out. Unfortunately the place is slow to fill out but the half north London, half south London Elks offer a mixture of warm post-rock harmonies and gritty Biffy Clyro-esque guitar riffs. Songs such as ‘Sorry For The Inconvenience’ are packed full of energy and angst, this time specifically addressed at the National Express for traveling difficulties! Their performance culminates in an off stage venture as they break out a megaphone for the finale before Leeds’ Wintermute takes over. With a set that is audaciously full of stop-start rhythms, infectious pop melodies and half shouted lyrics their sound is akin to the Foals jagged, angular musical formula. Their explosive energy fills out the floor and has the crowd dancing along during their short set, which is not complete without the obligatory indie “bah-bah-bah-dahs” in their final song.

Then Secondsmile take to the stage and the floor fills out even more, as an electric buzz builds from the rhythm guitar and reverberates around the room. Secondsmile’s songs are both heavily intricate and instantly accessible as they play through a mixed set of old and new arty post-hardcore songs, including tracks such as ‘Long Road Home’ from their new album Years.

The place fills out in anticipation of A Badge of Frienship’s DJ set and of course Bellafea. The North Carolina three-piece play beautifully ugly music as their name (meaning beautiful and ugly), would suggest. The voice of Heather McEntire screams hoarsely and sings smoothly, as her guitar hums gently or thrashes the harshest of rhythms. ‘Telling the Hour’ is a discordant, ambient and haunting song that stands out amongst a set that swerves between sublime, melodic, jarring and cacophonous.

Photography by Sonny Malhotra

Bellafea on Myspace
Secondsmile on Myspace
Wintermute on Myspace
Elks on Myspace