I first saw Milo Greene in a tiny venue in Manchester in January; here as a support act, the crowd was less attentive, not helped by the low level of the vocals in the mix. However, mid way into their set, the LA quintet hit their stride and their folk pop took flight, helped by an increase in volume for the four singers. This was the last night of the tour, and I suspect they'd taken note of the energy on stage of the main act, Cold War Kids, as they were a joy to watch. Whereas the previous evening with Alt-J had been disappointingly inert, this one easily exceeded expectations, due to a strong relationship with the audience.
In contract to the meteoric rise of Alt-J, this indie rock group from Long Beach, California has had to overcome some set backs recently. Last month, their tour bus driver was held at gunpoint whilst the band was in a nearby bar; shots were fired as the robbers fled. Earlier, their founding guitarist Jonnie Russell left the band (to be replaced by Modest Mouse's Dann Gallucci) and their last album, Mine is Yours, attracted a mixed critical reception. Yet, there none of the angst of We Are Augustines was evident: this was an upbeat, uplifting set. I'd enjoyed Cold War Kids during Coachella 2011, during sunset on the Outdoor Stage, yet seeing a full set in a smaller venue gave me a fuller appreciation of their appeal. This is a band who is easy to appreciate: they're not setting out to stretch boundaries, but to give pleasure.
I was lucky to be in the midst of an exceptionally enthusiastic crowd: many had travelled some distance to one of only two UK dates, and there was no lack of dancing and singing along. The band was moving around stage almost constantly, with a real playfulness, particularly on the part of bass player Matt Maust. He held out the neck of his guitar for me to touch, and at the end came to the barrier and gave several of us a hug. This is indicative of their appreciation of their fans' support, and determination to make those who'd queued up for a space at the front feel special. In fact, Matt Maust and lead singer Nathan Willett (who alternated between guitar and piano) frequently made eye contact with the audience. There was no need for extensive chit chat between songs: their love was communicated through body language.
The newly released album Dear Miss Lonelyhearts has been seen as a return to form for the band, yet the strongest impression was made by the more familiar songs from Mine is Yours, whose softened edge compared to their almost legendary debut Robbers and Cowards wasn't thrown into sharp relief. The music is in truth less original than Alt-J's, consisting of a combination of anthemic rock and more soulful ballads. Nathan Willett's voice is scarcely refined either, but they have an instinct for melody that's easy to fall for it. They're not a band admired by indie tastemakers such as Pitchfork, who once wrote of singing like 'drunken Jeff Buckley karaoke'. Yet, when an act is this much fun to watch, and gives so much joy, such musical snobbishness is exposed as the pretentious nonsense it is. If Cold War Kids come to your town, you shouldn't miss the chance to experience their generosity.
Set List
- Welcome to the Occupation
- Royal Blue
- Miracle Mile
- I've Seen Enough
- Loner Phase
- Audience
- Red Wine
- Cold Toes
- Hang Me Up To Dry
- Tuxedos
- Louder than Ever
- Relief
- Jailbirds
- Santa Ana Winds
- Fear and Trembling
- Vacation
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