Sparta

There isn’t really much to say about openers Magic Dirt. The band takes the term ‘dull’ and runs away with it, taking it to new and unseen depths of … dullness. Female-fronted plodding grungesque rock. Pioneers of dullcore, perhaps.

Fair enough, any band following that would seem alive in comparison, but when Silt come onstage, declaring they are from ‘Eeeslant!!’ and sporting interesting facial hair (moustaches are making a big comeback), you know they’re going to be something special. And something special they are indeed. Kooky angular riffs, disjointed melodies and screaming to the high heavens when they feel like it, maybe it’s the accents, but the Silt camp give the impression of being… not quite all there. Which is never a bad thing, especially when you have the music to back it up. Add to the equation some line-dancing and skiffle action, they form a perfect deranged trio, who know how to rock (spazz?) out Les Savy Fav-style. Hells yeah.

And so onto the main event of tonight: Sparta. Our shores have already encountered the Mars Volta experience, and now it’s time for the rest of the ATDi boys to show us what they’ve got. There’s been expression of doubt concerning Sparta, but tonight they are essentially preaching to the converted. In front of a faithful throng of Londoners, Jim Ward announces ‘we are Sparta from El Paso’ and then gets back to reinstating the chilled out atmosphere that overwhelmed the venue prior to the onslaught of Silt.

The music that Sparta creates seems to work as a lasso that gently grabs hold of the LA2, like a lullaby tenderly coaxing you until totally engrossed. This isn’t to say that there’s not excitement, it’s just more of a subdued, relaxed, assured rocking out coming from the stage’s direction. As a front man, Jim Ward appears to be getting to grips with his role, but clearly demonstrates the vocal capability to do so, with songs that have a spell-binding effect, generating a weird mood that reverberates throughout the crowd. The definite standout tracks are the gems that lie on the Austere EP, lovingly sung along by audience members.

Looking around the venue, the amount of respect and love shown towards the men onstage is astounding; there is not a single buffoon dancing around mindlessly, almost everyone has their full attention on the stage. Tonight’s crowd gave Sparta the perfect environment in which to introduce their songs and their line up, and as a result we have found a band that is mature, relaxed, and yet still able to warp your emotions. As a unit, it is clear that they are still growing and learning together, but there is an explicit notion that Sparta are going to be around for a long time, and only get amazing in the process.