Glass catches The Kills at Village Underground, London

 

RETURNING with their first new album in five years next month, garage-rock royalty The Kills treated the crowd at London’s Village Underground to a career-spanning masterclass last week. With Ash & Ice dropping in early June following an extended hiatus, this was an eagerly awaited comeback and – this time backed by a drummer and bassist – Jamie Hince and Alison Mosshart didn’t disappoint, defiantly showcasing their trademark muscular riffs, snarling vocals and razor-sharp command of the stage.

 

Kills on StageThe Kills on Stage

Launching into a setlist that traversed their decorated 15-year career, the pair traded smiles and shared microphones throughout, Hince’s silky trophy jacket and Mosshart’s gravity-defying blonde shock glinting under the spotlights as the pair postured, cavorted and visibly enjoyed being back on stage.

 

Kills on StageThe Kills on Stage

Following the combustible set-opener No Wow, they skipped seamlessly between old and new material, the languid swagger of recent single Doing It To Death sitting comfortably alongside frenetic old favourite Fried My Little Brain and the subdued menace of  URA Fever’– displaying their CV’s impressive range. Signing off with the feedback-heavy Tape Song proved an incendiary finale to a life-affirming show that established that – regardless of any extended break – the Kills are still very much at the top of their game.

Setlist:
No Wow
URA Fever
Heart Is A Beating Drum
Kissy Kissy
Hard Habit
Heart Of A Dog
Impossible Tracks
Black Balloon
Doing It TO Death
Baby Says
Whirling Eye
Pots And Pans
Monkey 23

Encore:
Siberian Nights
Fried My Little Brains
Sour Cherry
Tape Song

Watch Doing It To Death here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=498zUzNGQxY

by Ben Olsen

Ash & Ice is out on June 3 on Domino Records

 

 

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