Fresh from supporting Vampire Weekend in the states, it was a privilege to be able to see Wild Cub [8/10] in such an intimate setting – and being able to meet them after! Supporting duty here went to Escondido [7/10], fellow residents of Nashville with Wild Cub. Their “desert rock” sound blended a range of influences including country, Mexican rock and soul. Seeing such great musical talent (having also been offered the chance to support Vampire Weekend) really got us in the mood for Wild Cub and their summer sounds.
Taking to the stage in one of the more casual ways you will ever see (by walking from the bar, through the crowd) they were instantly grateful to everyone who had come out to see them. It was impossible not to smile and happily bob about throughout the entire set, which was made up of tracks from their debut album Youth. Being such an intimate performance made it even more clear how well the band are able to play their instruments, with little in the way of elaborate lighting or stage design. Jeremy Bullock flipped between guitar and keyboard with style, while drummer Dabney Morris was just at home producing atmospheric synth tunes as he was making the noise on the drums.
Frontman Keegan DeWitt had an amazing stage presence, being able to dance the whole night even on such a small stage. His interaction with the audience was sweet and genuine, and talking to him after the show hit home just how much it meant to them to draw out crowds in England.
Saving their biggest hit to date ‘Thunder Clatter’ as their penultimate song, meant the set ended on a real high. Their performance was filled with energy to make us all feel happy and ready for summer inside. This band would be perfect at any outdoor music festival, though if you want to see them performing at such a personal level you better be quick about it!
Ben Rider
