A hallmark of a good band is whether they can replicate the sounds created on a record on the live stage and keep an audience entertained. It is safe to say that Django Django pass these tests with flying colours.
Having exploded onto the scene after a couple of years of quiet anticipation, the very British quartet (two Scots, one Englishman, one Northern Irishman) took to the stage on the York leg of their UK tour and gave the packed out Fibbers a night to remember.
After an entertaining and energetic support slot by NZCA/Lines, who sound like a cross between Hot Chip and We Have Band, the Djangos strode ontstage in their jungle-themed patterned t-shirts and launched straight into the aptly named ‘introduction’, which set the scene for things to come.
Tribal drums overlapped with piercing synths and jangling guitars, but the foursome whipped out just about every percussion instrument under the sun, including coconut shells and the world’s largest tambourine, which all add their distinctive quirkiness to inherently danceable songs.
Second song ‘Hail Bop’ got the audience moving, the feet of the 300 revellers only pausing for rest during the contemplative ‘Hand of Man’.
One of the many highlights of the set was ‘Waveforms’, which the band elongated to add a heavily percussion-based interlude, the smiles on their faces speaking volumes as to the enjoyment of playing their music to fans who lapped up every second.
All four band members seem incredibly nice guys, the effervescent frontman Vincent Neff and bassit Jimmy Dixon, an evidently proud Yorkshireman, happy to talk to the crowd in between songs. We found out where Neff likes to drink (the Blue Bell), how he nearly had a disastrous haircut, and that they were going to be visiting the Jorvik Viking Experience before they left town.
Their most well known song is the pulsating ‘Default’ which went down a treat, the crowd singing along to every word, and by the time they finished their set to the tune of air-raid sirens in the Spaghetti Western-esque ‘Wor’, the crowd wanted more – which they duly provided, in the form of ‘Silver Rays’.
The praise they are receiving from all quarters is duly justified – they are a brilliantly unique band, who combine experimental, psychadelic rock with energetic live performances that leave the audience member aching feet and a sore throats.