So why on earth have I driven nearly 200 miles to a gig on a school night? TV On The Radio are back… but only in London. I last saw them in 2011, another lifetime, but despite their decade long hiatus, they’ve remained omnipresent in fans hearts. This is a band that fans adore, obsess over and drive long distances for. The Islington Assembly Hall is new to me, but it’s over 100 years old. A music hall from the 30s, it’s still oozing with period character. Sort of like Manchester Apollo, but not as shabby. In fact a lot less shabby and about a quarter the size. I’m sat upstairs in the balcony, pretty much bang centre, in line with the already spinning mirrorball overlooking the stage. It’s all rather pleasant and much more relaxing than the drive here has been. There’s a hipster bohemian vibe that the intro for ‘Young Liars’ leans into, before its alt rock snarl locks in. The brass keeps it grounded with the guitars allowed to soar. This is gonna be good. ‘Golden Age’ brings the funk in. Jesske on bass looks like she’s loving it. So am I. It’s so cool. I’d forgotten how glorious they are live. They’ve not lost anything in the break, ‘Halfway Home’ is buttery smooth. Slowly building, it’s impossible to keep still in my seat. It’s one of my favourites, but dear god it’s absolutely stunning live. We have a late entry for gig of the year here. A touch of darkness appears on ‘Dreams’, but it’s the uplifting kind. Could anyone else make a line like “all your dreams are over now” sound so life affirming. I’m really not sure, but Tunde’s voice certainly does. He asks “how we all feeling so far?”. Pretty damn wonderful I’d say. He’s then offered a fresh towel as they launch into ‘Wolf Like Me’. See what I mean, civilised. The song is packed with melodious venom though. Kyp is bouncing around with his guitar. People around me, although seated are punching the air. They switch lanes effortlessly for the soulful ‘Crying’. Kyp taking over lead vocals, accompanied by Tunde they sound beautiful together. It’s a big sound, two guitars, trumpet and keys over the rhythm section. It’s pretty arresting stuff. ‘DLZ’ brings back the menace. The bass guitar is dropped for a brooding synth drone that hums and drives it along. It’s the sound holding back an impending apocalypse and makes me smile at the thought of a friend I lost touch with many years ago. I can’t decide with it’s a hits packed set, although they’re not really a band with hits, or if I just know their records so well that everything song starts with me thinking oh god I love this one! ‘Love Dog’ is a soft lament live, built on some fantastic syncopated drums. It too reaches for the (ornately corniced) ceiling as it builds though. Lots of bands do this well, but TVOTR are certainly experts. ‘Happy Alien’ Is like polished grunge with high production values… and a bit of audience choreography as Tunde waves and those in the know wave back. It’s the perfect set up for the frenetic ‘Dancing Choose’ which gets spat out at blistering pace. Tunde’s delivery is the star, but that trumpet sure sounds fine too. They should have these chairs wired up to some kinetic energy generating device. No one’s sat still. We could power this place. ‘Satellite’ is a genre defying punk-metal-hip-hop melting pot that takes us into the break. After which ‘Killer Crane’ ushers us back in. It’s spine-tingling. There’s a warm gospel-flecked folk vibe, with little movement on stage, almost to illustrate the awe and gravitas of the moment. “Everything’s gonna be okay” is what I’ll be singing to myself the rest of the week after ‘Trouble’ is dispatched. I’ve been singing it to myself as I comically tried to find my car in a part of London I don’t know very well, but the question is, how do finish a set like this? With ‘Staring at the Sun’ that’s how. That mirrorball has been teasing all night and finally beams out shards of light across this beautiful room. Was it worth driving 4 hours for? Honestly I’d have driven twice that to witness this. Technically that’s what I’m about to do right now, as I head back to Manchester. Some bands are worth going that extra mile for.
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