After what can only be described as a relentless European tour, Tu Fawning could have been forgiven for plodding exhaustedly through a set on what was to be their final hurrah. Unsurprisingly, this was not the case at Madame JoJo’s tonight.
Hailing from Portland, Oregon (a brilliantly musical part of the world, responsible for the likes of The Shins and the late great Elliott Smith) the four-piece share a vintage hue of tweed, ties and the use of an impressive array of instruments with fellow natives The Decemberists.
The band produce a big sound, on a very small stage; thunderous percussion is constantly juxtaposed by a shrieking fiddle and a wonderful mute trumpet. Opening highlight ‘Pose For No One’ is brilliant and particularly memorable with an eerie sampled preamble, a technique employed pretty consistently to great affect. However, I’m sure I am not alone in leaving JoJo’s with ‘Anchor’ resounding in my ears – the use of synths and pounding drums coloured with a dream-like melody and a thoroughly catchy chorus. Utterly captivating.
