We Are Scientists // Live Review, The Duchess York

The Olympics wasn’t the only sell out event last Friday as We Are Scientists, back on UK soil, took to the stage in York. Not quite on the scale of the Olympic opening ceremony, but nevertheless an entertaining evening was expected from the quirky trio.  
Est.1987 headed down to The Duchess to see what the three-piece had to offer, after having to pull some of the tour dates due to lead singer Keith Murray’s throat problems.

We Are Scientists on stage at The Duchess

The venue was sweltering as Keith and Chris, joined by former Razorlight drummer Andy Burrows, took to the stage with the punchy “Nice Guy” taken from their most recent album “Barbara”. “Hey gang!” laughs Keith after the intro song. Whether you are a die hard We Are Scientists fan or a newcomer to their scene, Keith and Chris have a unique way of making everyone in the room feel a part of the band and the collective. As much as it is a sold out show it has a uniquely intimate and spontaneous feel to the proceedings. We Are Scientists storm through hits such “Impatience” and “Chick Lit” before taking things back to their first album “With Love And Squalor”. “This Scene Is Dead” with its modest and building opening makes way for the chorus of epic proportions which instils a buzz of excitement and reassurance within the crowd. We Are Scientists are back and yet again erupting on the UK scene.

Lead singer Keith Murray

Although the band has been away for a little while, busy working on the next record, We Are Scientists’ firm fan base hasn’t gone anywhere. The packed out venue has pulled in a crowd of varying ages, testament to the popularity of the band’s angular indie-pop. “Our immediate family call this one a barn stormer,” reveals Keith before bursting into “I Don’t Bite”. We Are Scientists songs are undeniably infectious; the majority of the audience have been singing along since the opener and now the rest follow suit. The sarcastic wit and banter between the two front-men is undoubtedly extremely charming. But, not just charming; the three-piece are intricate in their approach and their performance is tight and electric, which the crowd feeds off.

Keith Murray and the York crowd

Although working on their next release the band tonight was mostly concerned with their classic anthems, each as catchy as its predecessor. The front row of the crowd, dressed in suitable Scientists merchandise, lead the mammoth sing-along to hits “Rules Don’t Stop Me” and “Nobody Move, Nobody Get Hurt”. Album tracks “Jack and Ginger” and “Pittsburgh” (which we are told that “kids are made to this tune”) don’t stand out as merely “fillers” and hold their own against the riotous “The Great Escape”. As lead singer Keith hurls himself off stage the crowd beckon him in and he happily complies before crowd surfing over the barrier and chaotically onto them.

We Are Scientists Keith Murray

As We Are Scientists exit the stage the crowd are hungry for more and the boys don’t hesitate too long before they’re back on stage and top the night off with a pounding performance of “It’s A Hit”; punchy, snappy guitar filled, intelligent with an epic close. 


Here’s looking forward to hearing their new material because it would seem We Are Scientists can do no wrong.
http://wearescientists.com/

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