Black Kids

Clwb Ifor Bach 03/06/08

Just two years ago Black Kids were tagging onto the coat tails on any indie band that passed through their hometown of Jacksonville Florida, and this soon lead them to their big break performance at the Athens Pop Festival in August 07. Now tipped to be one of the biggest bands of 08 Black Kids bring their electro pop party to a sold out Clwb.

There’s something refreshing about the set up of Black Kids, the usual guitar, bass and drums are there but it’s the female contingent and a colourful hypnotic front man that makes them what they are. Reggie Youngblood vocal and guitar paired up with sister Ali on keyboards and vocal make quite a pair both in presence and vocal. It’s pretty much a party from the off and although the album doesn’t drop until July tunes off the free download ep “The Wizard of Ahhs” sound much better up close and personal. Reggie passes comment on the clwb audience passing up the chance to see Boyzone in favour of seeing his band followed by “you guys must be drunks right?”  the one drink per wrist band due to the over 14 rule for tonight may have slowed down proceedings a touch though I must say.

Never the less a prolonged stomping beat gradually snowballed into single “I’m not gonna teach your boyfriend how to dance” that followed by next release “Hurricane Jane” took the Florida five pieces’ set to soaring peak.  The bands performance on Jonathan Ross’ show the week before had done this lot no favours at all.

The kids are alright

words by Neil and photography by Simon Ayre