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Words by Helen Knott / Pics by Phil Drury

A lot of bands don’t have one talented frontman, so it seems almost greedy of Parquet Courts to have two.

Andrew Savage is the first to grab your attention, his stern intensity giving him a commanding presence. But mirroring Savage just across the stage is Austin Brown, providing light to counteract Savage’s darkness, jollying things along with the audience and impressing with his laid back vocals.

Parquet Courts begin with a breathless series of songs from their most recent record Human Performance. In chugging opener, ‘Dust’, Brown playfully sings the refrain, “dust is everywhere… sweep!” – an anthem for neat freaks. Human Performance’s title track sees Savage at his most vulnerable, narrating a relationship from beginning to end, crooning verses alternated with howling choruses. The lyrics are gorgeous and it’s quite simply their best song.

A languid version of ‘Captive of the Sun’ is missing the zip (and rapping abilities) of recent collaborator Bun B, but ‘Berlin Got Blurry’ is dependably catchy, with Savage’s delivery reminiscent of the Hold Steady’s Craig Finn. That’s definitely a compliment.

The second half of the set draws more from the band’s older material. Short, punky songs like ‘Light Up Gold II’ are ideal for moshing, but lack the subtleties of some of their better songs. The set ends back where we started, with a track from Human Performance; ‘One Man, No City’ moves from a lo-fi vibe to heavy rock drums and squealing guitars, then seamlessly back again.

It’s a fitting close for tonight’s Parquet Court‘s gig, showcasing the best aspects of one of the most compelling bands, and two of the best frontmen, around.

Ed’s note… Check out some of Phil Drury’s shots of both Parquet Court and their support act, Ultimate Painting. Some real beauts below, but click here for the Full Flickr of Pics or on the relevant links.

Parquet Courts @ O2 Institute 31.08.17/ Phil Drury – Birmingham Review

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Ultimate Painting – supporting Parquet Courts @ O2 Institute 31.08.17 / Phil Drury – Birmingham Review

For more on Parquet Courts, visit www.parquetcourts.wordpress.com

For more on Ultimate Painting, visit www.ultimatepainting.band

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For more from O2 Institute, including full event listings and online ticket sales, visit www.academymusicgroup.com/o2institutebirmingham

For more from Goldenvoice, visit www.goldenvoice.com

For more from This Is Tmrw, visit www.thisistmrw.co.uk

Words by Helen Knott

On Thursday 31^st August, Parquet Courts play the O2 Institute in Digbeth. Doors open at 7pm, with tickets priced at £17 plus booking fee – as presented by Goldenvoice and This Is Tmrw. For direct gig information, including full venue details and online ticket sales, click here.

Parquet Courts’ show at the O2 Institute continues their tour in support of last year’s Human Performance – the Brooklyn band’s third studio album and the first to be released on Rough Trade Records. This is one of five UK dates in the run-up to a performance at End of the Road Festival in September.

Human Performance received a warm critical reaction on its release, causing Rolling Stone magazine to describe them as “the most exciting young rock band in America”, heir apparent to groups like Television, Pavement and the Velvet Underground.

This article marked a culmination of the steady momentum the band has been building since they formed in 2010. Birthed in the grassroots of the New York DIY scene – even now Parquet Courts avoid running a Twitter feed or Facebook page – the band has an ethos of rejecting digital marketing in favour of old fashioned physical releases, homemade print and frequent touring.

Front man Andrew Savage is an important aspect of this DIY mentality, designing the artwork for their records and flyers, and taking the unusual step of advertising the release of Human Performance through a wall mural in Brooklyn. But don’t think that Parquet Courts are all style and no substance; Savage’s songs have led Pitchfork to describe him as ‘one of the best rock lyricists of his generation’. And whilst that might sound like hyperbole he is arguably one of the more captivating indie lyricists around, pedaling words often sardonic, occasionally touching, but always compelling.

Andrew Savage is ably supported by the band’s other songwriter and guitarist, Austin Brown, bassist Sean Yeaton, and his brother Max on drums. When it works the resulting tumbling guitar lines and duel vocals are twitchy art-punk at its best.

Parquet Courts‘ live shows can be a potent mix of abrupt one-minute tracks and extended jam rock-outs; if they reach anything like the heights of this wonderful version of ‘Stoned and Starving’ from 2013 record Light Up Gold the O2 Institute crowd are in for a raw, and rather exciting, evening.

‘Stoned and Starving’ – Parquet Courts

‘Human Performance’ – Parquet Courts

Parquet Courts play at the O2 Institute on Thursday 31^st August – as presented by Goldenvoice and This Is Tmrw for Direct gig info, including venue details and online ticket sales, click here.

For more on Parquet Courts, visit www.parquetcourts.wordpress.com

For more from O2 Institute, including full event listings and online ticket sales, visit www.academymusicgroup.com/o2institutebirmingham

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For more from Goldenvoice, visit www.goldenvoice.com

For more from This Is Tmrw, visit www.thisistmrw.co.uk

Tag: Birmingham Institute

THE GALLERY: Parquet Courts @ O2 Institute 31.08.17

BPREVIEW: Parquet Courts @ O2 Institute 31.08.17