One Night In KOKO: music review

This time last week I fell in love.

Bold claim?

I believe it would be if I were proclaiming it from a swift glance of a boy on the tube. But, no, this adoration is not just for one person (not where you think it is going, promise) but for two bands (told you). Because last Thursday, dragging my best friend behind me, I sped-walked into KOKO in anticipation of the Great Bop Along to Marsicans and Hippo Campus.

In July, I had seen Marsicans perform at 110 Above Festival (you want to know more? Of course you do – have a peek here: https://helenaquainton.blogspot.co.uk/2017/08/110-above-rest.html) and was instantly infatuated with their feel-good vibes, M&M-style dress and – self-described – ‘dirty pop’ music. So, as soon as my Twitter pinged with their announcement of a London venue gig a few months later, I had already booked the tickets before I had even researched who they were supporting.

The band Marsicans were opening for were Hippo Campus, a band I had coincidently heard of a month or so beforehand and actually laughed (shamefully) at their name: after two years of psychology, I could not comprehend why someone would want to name their band after a part in the brain that controls memory function. However, how wrong I was to laugh, because once I had whooshed up Spotify, I was instantly enchanted by the smooth sooth of Monsoon, while continuously murmuring ‘that’s the way it goes, that’s the way it go-o-o-o-os’ in the kitchen and living-room and bedrooms and shower, much to my family’s silent fury, as I had not learnt the rest of the words to The Way it Goes. I was so excited to see both live that when it came to Thursday 12^th October, my brain had convinced myself that it was simply a rosey imagining.

Before my pal Livvy and I had even reached the venue, I had already had a day of nachos, natter and nonsense at her house, as my English lesson had been conveniently cancelled for the day. (I mean, of course I was studying all day. Of course…) So by the time I had literally run through the ticket gate from Mornington Crescent train station at 5:20, I was already more adrenaline-pumped than a golden retriever presented with a tennis ball – I probably appeared just as manic too. People were already slumped with food in a mashed queue outside the venue, but for once it would have still been recognisable without the people, as the burlesque-bright red lights of ‘KOKO’ adorned the stately venue perfectly clearly. Even after standing, eating and standing a bit more in the queue for more than an hour and a half, I was still jumping from foot-to-foot (morphing into a golden retriever with two tennis balls at their dispense.)

As soon as my phone announced the chime of 7, the line began to chug around the corner, until we were the front, and then inside. I literally sprinted to the stage, almost losing Livvy in the process of attempting to be as near to the front as possible. Second row. (Second and a half row, once two girls had politely pushed in front of us – they did ask, but we could not really say no.) And then, 7:15, my heart palpitated as guitar and vocalist James Newbigging, drummer Cale (Matthew) McHale, guitarist Oli Jameson and keys/bass player Rob Brander of Marsicans took up their instruments on stage. And let me tell you, if you thought that I would not sing every word you would be wrong, because Marsicans did not disappoint with their line-up; their allocated half an hour was crammed with their hits, including Swimming (a total bop), Friends (which I sung directly towards Livvy for the whole 3 minutes, without breaking eye contact), as well as Wake up Freya, a more docile song that really enhances the vulnerability and effortlessness one voice can have in a song’s narrative. They hit back with their new single, Too Good, the song that made my brother burst into my room, concerned that I had fallen over, when in reality I was just leaping around my room to the sugar-stranded harmonies. As soon as they were off stage, I was so elated I thought I could levitate towards the ceiling: a gem in itself, as KOKO incubates three tiers, all ornamented with rich, oxblood red. (There was even a glitter-ball globe that would descend in the climax of Hippo Campus’ set – I was like a golden retriever with two tennis balls, a big stick and a packet of bacon all for myself.)

How you sound recorded VS how you sound live, through pictures

After Marsicans came Toothless, the second support band of the night. Although they were not completely my ‘jam’ (I can feel my mum rolling her eyes into oblivion at yet another word that has been procured to mean something else) I appreciated the mellow and almost distant atmosphere they created, with subtle voices and a good use of the tambourine.

And then the whole room become one big, screaming, bouncing energy ball, as Hippo Campus strolled onto the stage, made up of lead singer and guitarist Jake Luppen, bassist Zach Sutton, guitar and vocalist Nathan Stocker, and drummer Whistler Allen. Later, Livvy and I would agree that we have never seen a gig crowd like it, at least not those around us: Livvy was unsuspectingly attacked by a girl head-banging behind her, whose boobs seemed to migrate into Livvy’s back on several occasions, as she joined the chorus of jumping adolescents. But, there is something rather thrilling; to be swallowed up by the singing of the crowd, who know all the words to every song (which was what I had become an hour or so before with Marsicans). Hippo Campus’ music is described as another ‘indie pop/rock band quartet’ but they effortlessly glide between more easy-listening low vocals, such as The Way It Goes (I have learnt the lyrics now) to punchy beats and a lot ‘rockier’ ambiance in Buttercup. A song that is certain to attract anyone who identifies with indie-alternative-rock-pop is Baseball, from the band’s new EP, Warm Glow, which bounces between all their different styles effortlessly. Also it’s one of those songs you cannot help but boogie down to (hello, yes, if you saw a girl doing this at the gig, hello, it was me) – but most of their songs are!

Some good beats from Hippo Campus here. Also Jake Luppen is one of the only people I have ever seen to still resemble attractiveness, even when sweaty. 

The reason why bands like Hippo Campus and Marsicans are so good to see live is because they describe themselves as live bands: they have fun and that really energises the audience, which holds outstretched to you like the blinding glitter-ball above us: you just have to grasp it in both arms and dance too. With Marsicans, I - and many around us - beamed equally as Oli lunged around the stage, while Rob wore his ‘grandma’s dressing gown’ (not my words). The lunging theme continued when Hippo Campus’ Zach looked like his skinny trousers would not take much more of his exercises, before Jake’s vocals flooded through the microphone. On this note, can I just say (and I will) that Jake’s vocals are even more incredible live, with unfathomable high notes that actually caused silence to ripple across the audience (a non-existent phenomenon there, I can assure you).

However, my favourite part of the show shimmied right in at the end, with Hippo Campus’ encore of Buttercup. And this was because Marsicans only went and joined them! It was as if you had sandwiched your favourite fillings together, only to discover they worked so perfectly that you would never eat them separate again (see salted caramel, or peanut butter and jelly/jam).

A screenshot of one of my most treasured videos: shows the madness quite well

As we tried not to fall while scaling the clogged stairs of overly excited adolescents, clutching their new memories, I decided my next mission: merch. I needed some merchandise to commemorate an amazing night, as well as avoid the initial rush onto the train, smothering unsuspecting commuters with gaggles of post-gig exhilaration. And that is when my heart probably stopped for a second time: there they were, Marsicans’ Oli and Cale just standing there taking photos. Nervously I toddled over to them, where they were both discussing shampoo (apparently Cale’s hair smells delicious, which is a bonus point right there). I got a photo and managed to fumble over expressing how great they were, but once again, I failed to say anything meaningful. So, as soon as I had purchased a t-shirt and CD and realised I was standing next to Marsicans’ James, I had to say something… which went along the lines of ‘you are my favourite band ever and you were amazing and I can’t wait to see you again.’ I know I am 18, but I must have looked about as old as an 18 month old baby with sheer adrenalin-syringed nerves, and he gave me a hug. A moment afterwards, I hopped down the stairs to meet Livvy and felt so weak from the anticipation, I had to buy chocolate and a smoothie.

As we boarded the train home, I realised that this was probably one of the best nights I have ever had. Thank you so much for the amazing music, crazy crowd, rad hair and loads of fun.

Half of Marsicans (Cale and Oli) and me

Early this week, another tweet swished through my phone, with another show announcement by Marsicans for March in London. Within five minutes of the announcement I had bought the tickets and roped my other best chum (and travelling companion extraordinaire, if you read https://helenaquainton.blogspot.co.uk/2017/07/after-we-had-packed-up-exams-and-burned.html) Emily to come along with me.

I am already excited.

And still in love.

Look what came in the post today: not only the tickets but a balloon and bloomin' signed photo card of my loves. You bet it is already tacked up to my wall.