Hype has steadily been building around Razorlight ever since their dazzling support slots for the likes of The Libertines and The Beatings, which have left audiences and A & R types alike humming their songs for weeks after.
Tonight is their first high profile headlining slot, topping Club Fandango’s Tuesday night residency at Camden’s Dublin Castle. After three rather dull supports, Razorlight kick off their set with “Rip it Up”, a song that should win over any A & R man worth his salt.
Comparisons to 70’s New Wave legends Television are inevitable, but this underestimates the band that Razorlight are capable of becoming. Johnny Borrell is one of the most captivating front men to emerge in London for a long time and the audience is hard pressed to take their eyes off him as the band storm their way through song after song - most of which are easily good enough to be their debut single.
The front of the crowd comprises of a group of the hardcore fans that Razorlight has already attracted, singing along to every word of the now familiar set. Carl from the Libertines spends most of the gaps between songs screaming for “In the City” and finally gets his wish as the band close with one of the most driven songs, with the lyric “I’ve been looking for you/looking for you/in the city last night” repeated like a mantra. The crowd disperse into the night with the melody echoing in their minds, and not one face of disappointment. If Razorlight do not succeed then the British music industry will be deprived of one of the brightest new talents of recent years.
Kirsty W. You're So Old Street
