Live Review: Dirty Hit Tour at ThinkTank Newcastle
25th March 2017There’s often a feeling of disappointment at the words: “This one’s off the new album”. Thankfully, with Superfood, those fears were alleviated, as new tracks I Can’t See and Natural Super Soul went down like they were greatest hits. Funky bass lines and bouncy melodies had the crowd jumping and jiving instantly, making for a ridiculously enjoyable night.
Superfood were joined by label mates Pale Waves and King Nun on the Dirty Hit Tour – opening were Pale Waves, and the Manchester foursome did not disappoint. Lead singer Heather Baron-Gracie’s stunning vocals were, as ever, the star of the show, adding an ethereal touch to Pale Waves’ signature glittering guitar melodies.
Rework of old demo, Heavenly, was a stand-out track. Slower and dreamier than previous hits, it crashed like a tidal wave of guttural emotion. The band closed with debut single There’s a Honey, a synth-heavy track that belies its heartbreaking lyricism.
It was definitely possible to enter ThinkTank without knowing who King Nun were, but nobody left the room not knowing them. Loud, abrasive and full of teenage angst, King Nun were riotous fun, and the perfect pallet-cleanser after the tear-jerking indie-pop of Pale Waves. Recent single, Hung Around, was somehow even punchier live, and B-Side Sponge showed the softer side of the band – but even that isn’t soft – and led to a spectacular crescendo. Two minutes of pure fury led to garage banger Tulip, which struck with the force of a freight train and left the crowd breathless.
Headliners Superfood saw this as a comeback tour, and as comebacks go it was pretty damn good. Floor-filler Right On Satellite was superb, as ever, and Superfood – the song – was uproarious fun. They opened with new single Double Dutch, a sample-led Gorillaz-esque tune with Superfood’s signature chorus style – mundane, almost nonsense lyrics turned into an indie-pop banger that feels like it means something. No other band would get a room full of indie fans moshing to the words ‘Jumping on the pavement with my friends’ – it just wouldn’t happen.
New tunes were packed with funky melodies, a taste of the new direction; but not without that distinctive Superfood sound. Dom Ganderton’s ever-surprising range took the forefront on the anthemic I Can’t See, an effortless exhibition of the band’s ability, and Natural Super Soul produced a reaction usually reserved for crowd favourites. That left one new song, Where’s The Bass Amp, an absolute blast, stuffed with funk and delirium – the only criticism being that it ended.
The only real disappointment in a stupendously fun night was the absence of some of Superfood’s bigger hits – Mood Bomb is probably Superfood’s biggest song, and that we were robbed the chance to hear it was a little frustrating. But when your new tracks are so damn good, why play old hits?
