Wild Beasts | Concorde 2, Brighton | 26 November 2011

A review by Gary Marlowe

With a name like Wild Beasts you’d expect it to belong to some kind of heavy metal band, but the reality is something altogether tamer. Indeed, rarely have a band been so mis-named. Wild Beasts show at Concorde 2 was sold out thanks no doubt to the hypnotic quality of ‘Smother’ their elegant and critically-acclaimed third album that was released earlier this year. Writing and recording songs is one thing, playing them live is another. With that in mind, one has to wonder just how many in the audience felt the live show added anything to the experience than could be achieved by listening to the music in the comfort of their home or car? Not only did the band spend most of the time in murky darkness, but whenever they were illuminated both counter-tenor Hayden Thorpe and co-vocalist Tom Fleming invariably sang with their eyes wide shut. Devoid of anything resembling animal magnetism, neither managed to mutter more than a sentence or two - one has to wonder what the point of their live performance was. Yes they played well and aurally they effortlessly reproduced the broodingly atmospheric quality of the record.  But in terms of putting on a show, they were creatively bereft: no stagecraft, no interesting visuals, nothing whatsoever. And that’s a real shame because on record, understated though they may be, Wild Beasts are well worth listening to. On the strength of this show, and until they recognise that their concerts aren’t mere recitals, you’d be hard-pressed to say they’re worth seeing on stage.