Coasts // Live Review, The Shacklewell Arms, London

Here at Est.1987 HQ we can’t get enough of Bristol five-piece, Coasts. So when we found out they were back on a UK headline tour, of course we had to go and check them out. 

Since we caught up with the boys in Berlin this summer they have been busy working on new material and releasing new single, ‘Stay’. We headed down to the sold out Shacklewell Arms gig in London to see the show…

Shacklewell Arms is tucked away in Dalston and the quirky little boozer is home to tonight’s sold out show. At full capacity, the gig room is fit to burst as Coasts take to the stage and, with a rising heat already, things are only set to get hotter as the quintet burst into the first song. ‘Wallow’ is an explosive and forceful opener and the set continues in the same fashion. ‘Your Soul’ is upbeat; filled with soaring vocals and doused in synths and catchy riffs. Coasts certainly know how to deliver epic tropical indie songs, each one as infectious as its predecessor.  The stage tonight may be relatively small but the band still manages to fit their now famous palm tree on there; we simple wouldn’t expect anything less. They certainly know how to kick-start a party atmosphere and the fact that they’re having so much fun up there is effortlessly passed on to the crowd. But don’t be fooled, for the set is precise, tight and dynamic. We have come to learn that at heart Coasts’ shows are all about an infectious fun and an upbeat, dance inducing atmosphere; tonight was no different. Favourite Coasts dance numbers are played alongside more pensive and slower songs, including the addition of a few new offerings in the set. Since we last saw the boys in Berlin they have been busy working on new material and anticipation could not be higher for what is yet to come, including ‘Show Me Life’ and new single ‘Stay’. Building and echoic ‘Stay’ is filled with pained and heartfelt catchy lyrics and melodies.

Slow building instrumentals make way for intricate layering of sounds and vocals; every detail carefully considered, yet live feel electric and spontaneous. ‘Stone” is the perfect example of Coasts’ ability to put together subtle and complex indie based tunes that can’t help but pull you in. “Have a dance and get as hot as us, yeah?” laughs front-man Chris as the room hits sweltering temperatures. And as the final song ‘Oceans’ begins, the crowd hardly needs any encouragement to get involved. Undoubtedly the highlight of the set, ‘Oceans’ is simply euphoric tropical indie at its finest; it is safe to say that the entire venue is in adoration of this song and there is a sea of movement and voices as the night comes to an end. We’re championing Coasts for great things and by the looks of tonight they just keep on getting better and better, so be sure to lock in now because we can’t wait for what’s to come. 8.5/10

http://coastsband.com/