Live: Backbeat Soundsystem

Headliner: Backbeat Soundsystem
Support: Passafire
Where: Brooklyn Bowl, London
When: 3rd August 2015
Reviewed By: Dan Stoten

Backbeat Soundsystem have been one of those bands that I've wanted to see for a considerable amount of time, but never been able to due to other commitments or diary clashes. This has been incredibly frustrating: 2014 album Together Not Apart is one of the most-played records on my iTunes.

So it was with delight that I saw they were playing a London date at the beginning of their Reggae Soundwaves UK tour, supported by Easy Star Records labelmates Passafire. Making the short trip down to the O2, I was slightly concerned as to it's size for a Monday night gig in the height of summer. Admittedly, I'd only been there once before, and it was on a New Years' Eve...

Indeed, Brooklyn Bowl's dancefloor did look distinctly quiet as we arrived. Grabbing a beer, we settled in for the first band of the night, Georgia, US' Passafire. Despite being a well-established band across the world, this was their first ever UK show. They showed no signs of nerves however, playing a set of incredibly technical reggae music with more than a smattering of rock.

While I really enjoyed the first three or four songs, I began to find that the longer their set went on, the more prosaic and samey it became. The essential ingredients of all their songs remained essentially the same: heavier rockier intro, smooth reggae verse, and then heavier chorus again with a lengthy (and, to state again, incredibly technical) instrumental towards the end of each track.

They're by no means a bad band: some of the guitar and bass solos from Ted and Will were genuinely astounding. It was also brilliant to see them swap instruments for one of their instrumental sections, showing their ability across the board.

After a short changeover, Backbeat Soundsystem's eight members swarmed onto Brooklyn Bowl's stage. Despite some early technical issues with the cables and pedals below Dean's synth, this was a brilliantly professional and polished performance from the Cornwall reggae outfit.

As a stage presence, they're a very watchable band. Dean's dreadlocks are pretty mesmerising in themselves, particularly when he flicks them over his shoulder in a huge wave. His on-stage persona is also effortlessly cool and combines well with Darren's edgier style. Lawrence, on trumpet, also has a huge amount of character, which manifests itself brilliantly onstage, bringing a real sense of fun and energy to the laid back reggae grooves the band create.

Musically Backbeat Soundsystem were absolutely on-point. Dean's vocal sounded almost CD-perfect, smooth and melodic; the brass section (while slightly quiet) in perfect time with the gorgeous bass, guitar and keys. As a band they managed to create a huge amount of energy, and a whole load of good vibes, even in their more laid-back tracks.

Their setlist was spot-on, too: a great mix of material from Together Not Apart alongside previous releases. For me, the set highlight was Words Are The Weapon, as it was a real opportunity for each constituent part of the eight piece to deliver.

It may have taken some time for me to get to a gig, but boy was it worth the wait...