Concert review: 5 things to know about Temples and Art d'Ecco at the Fox
Credit to Author: Stuart Derdeyn| Date: Thu, 06 Feb 2020 02:05:18 +0000
When: Feb. 4, 8 p.m.
Where: Fox Cabaret, 2321 Main
Kettering, UK, quartet Temples has six years of touring and recording under its belt now and it shows. The group’s performance at the Fox Cabaret on a snowy/rainy Vancouver night was as polished and paced as the latest single Holy Horses.
Adding to the buzz around the gig was the presence of rising gulf island act Art d’Ecco, whose album Tresspasser is an absolute joy of glammed-up swagger. Having played a number of high profile gigs such as the Squamish Music Festival, the singer and his tight backing band are really taking shape.
Here are five things to know about the show:
1: The Howl. The band opened with the fourth tune from its most recent album, Hot Motion. With its fuzzed out lead riff, airy keyboards (courtesy of rhythm guitarist Adam Smith) and chanting vocal hook, the song is a perfect example of what the band does right. Blending classic ’60s style psychedelic pop with some flourishes that could only come from players who lived through the Brit Pop era, the tune is a pulsing gem.
2: You’re Either on Something. One of the best songs the band has written to date just slays live. With its chiming harmonies and rising break, it is totally suited to lead singer/guitarist/songwriter James Bagshaw’s high voice. Straight and to the point.
3: Holy Horses. And this could be the second best song the band has produced. It’s like a snarling mix of Beatles and Oasis with a bouncing bass line broken up by one of the hardest rocking hooks in the group’s repertoire. At a time when lengthy guitar jams are — fairly — consigned to the jam band heap, Temples will still take an occasional workout and let their trippy hair fly. They did a nice job on doing that on this one, with Bagshaw laying down some razor sharp leads.
4: The drums. The band is on its third drummer, and they may still not have the right one. Rens Ottink did a great job keeping time and keeping it really thudding and straight-ahead. The thing is, the songs could stand a bit of breathing room that a more light touch could bring. Temples leans much more to the pop side than the rock side on a lot of the material and the four-on-the-floor pounding might be holding back the songs from soaring. Let Ottink swing a bit and see what happens.
5: Art d’Ecco. It’s always great to see a local warm-up act really bring it. With a set of solid songs, good stage look and vibe and a really fine singing voice, d’Ecco made Temples have to bring its A-game. Veering from glam rock to some jumpy dance pop, the sound is seductive, if not quite as outrageous as it could be. Fans are looking forward to hearing the next album.