Review: Delta Spirit @ ICA, London.

April 2nd 2009 

Having never been to the ICA before, I am pleasantly surprised by the ‘arty’ vibe of the whole place and am always pleased with the existence of a space that brings art, music, good food and performance together.  Walking into the area in which the music making occurs though, is like stepping into an alternate universe – I feel like I’ve stepped into the Tardis and fear that the outside world no longer exists.  But this is a good thing. 

Support act Ten Bears hail from Manchester and, although there is an abundance of youthful enthusiasm, their set lacks cohesiveness.  Not to mention their jumping around on stage with no awareness of their band mates puts me on edge throughout their entire set.  I have one hand on my phone, ready to dial 999, should someone happen to catch a machine head in the eye.  And although impressed with their highly considered merchandise, one couldn’t help think it may be beneficial to put a little more of that effort into the music itself.  After all, the music is the thing that the merchandise exists to promote, not the other way around. 

But enough of that, we all know who we’re here to see. Hailing from the sunny shores of San Diego and having toured with the likes of the Cold War Kids and Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Delta Spirit bound onto stage. Opening with Strange Vine, the set consists of tracks from their debut album, Ode to Sunshine, as well as a few from their 2006 debut EP, I Think I've Found It.  

The first single from the current album is Trashcan and it goes off with a bang - literally - as an old trash can lid is used to create some of the percussion along with orchestral bass drums.  As the set progresses, it becomes apparent that these guys like to mix things up with several band members swapping instruments throughout - the singer becomes the keyboard player, the keyboardist becomes the lead guitarist, the lead guitarist becomes the percussion section.  The only person who maintains his position is the bassist who, with his ginger hair and stylish getup, doesn’t feel the need to move through various instruments to prove his worth. 

But no matter how much swapping and changing occurs throughout the show, it is hard to overlook the poor sound quality.  Overbearing drums and sporadic keyboard (because it keeps losing power for some reason) mean I have trouble maintaining focus but the boys stage presence and the undeniable catchiness of their tunes brings me back.    

Towards the end, the anthemic People, Turn Around makes an appearance to my delight.  My enthusiasm is dampened though as the band insist on dedicating the song to some loud mouthed girl who has perched herself in front of the lead singer, only to chat throughout the entire performance.  Clearly the song dedication speaks to the bands gratitude for having an audience numbering more than nine, an occurrence that has been a little too common on this leg of their UK tour (according to the band).  Still, those in attendance tonight seem to have enjoyed the show and will no doubt be back for more on the boys’ next visit.  Ode to Sunshine is out now on the Rounder Records label. 

Lee Hutchison