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London,
Critic rating
Reader rating
Description: The offbeat alt-rockers play a show for competition winners.
Phone: 0844477 2000
Website: www.islington-academy.co.uk
Email: mail@islington-academy.co.uk
Trains: Tube: Angel 
, Tube / Bus: 4, 19, 30, 38, 43, 56, 73, 153, 214, 274, 341, N19, N38, N43, N73 
Extra info: Pub
Auk inspiring: MC Lord Magrão, Aristazabal Hawkes, drummer Greig Stewart and Fyfe Dangerfield of The Guillemots
Last time I reviewed these guys I gave them five stars out of five and copped a bit of stick from my colleagues as a result.
Their argument was (and still is) that the highest accolade you can give a band - the veritable Victoria Cross of the music world - should only be bestowed upon artists or bands that surpass everything.
I appreciate this argument, but I also appreciate the relatively homespun notion that if it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck, then call it a duck.
The simple fact is that The Guillemots are the best thing I've seen in years, and by a long way. Their songs are both intelligent and catchy, their musicianship is superb and tight, and singer Fyfe Dangerfield's voice soars over everything like he was born for the job.
If Fyfe and the gang were still steamed about being beaten to the Mercury Prize by the Arctic Monkeys last week, they didn't show it last night.
In fact, one of the best things about this band is the fact that they appear to be having a ball - even though they are playing songs they must have played to death by now.
They've played intimate venues, large arenas supporting the likes of Rufus Wainwright, and outdoor festivals - but they somehow manage to maintain a connection with the audience that makes you go home thinking they played especially for you.
And you could single out one member and watch them all night without getting bored. Drummer Greig Stewart is a bit of an unsung hero of the band, an amazing musician who provides a rock-steady platform for the music without showing off too much.
Dangerfield on vocals and numerous keyboards is mesmerising, his head swishing from side to side and arms and legs going in all directions - totally lost in the moment. He is also unflappable.
When some git threw a drink from the upstairs balcony last night, so it sprayed all over him and his instruments, he simply stood up and grabbed a towel as the stage crew cleaned everything up - not a word.
He's the sort of guy you'd love to hang out with. Take him to a pub, ask him his opinion about stuff, maybe go bowling. God only knows what his female fans fantasise about.
MC Lord Magrao spent the night in a constant battle with his guitar - wrestling, strangling and beating sounds out of it, and generally showing it who was boss.
He's not so much a guitar player as he is a guitar abuser. But it works, and looks great while he's at it.
And so we come to bass player Aristazabal Hawkes. I'm not going to say too much here, because I'll end up sounding like a lovestruck schoolboy - but, gosh, she really is gorgeous.
Wearing a dress covered in skulls (it looks better than it sounds), she thumped away on the double bass and provided sweet harmonies to Fyfe's vocals. Gosh, she is gorgeous. Okay, I'll stop now.
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
Went to this last night, only just got to work. it was crazy!
Held in an old commune in East London, it was like a guerrilla gig from 1970's, people turning up to see what's going on, muso's everywhere and the bands were great.
I saw Zan Pan - psych rock, Hush the Many - folk/rock and Guillemots came on 2am with some 13 piece band! Particular highlight was Evi Vine though, we ended up sat on the floor like it was a Joni Mitchell Woodstock moment, beautiful music really built perfectly around the sonic swell. Cant wait for the next night!
- Mark, London
