This indie tap-dance routine is truly off the wall
Martha De Lacey, London Lite 1 Mar 2007
Tilly & The Wall are no ordinary band. The indie-popsters have swapped the traditional drum kit for an amplified platform, smack-bang at the front of the stage. And from there, her flat throne, beat-layer Jamie Pressnall danced her heart out last night, beaming wildly, stealing every watt of the limelight.
Of course, without adequate musical support Jamie's clattering feet would be irritatingly gimmicky. Luckily, four bandmates complement her phenomenal energy and the Nebraska-based five play democratically lined up at the stage edge so each member's assets can shine. Like California's rising stars The Little Ones, who provided smile-aminute support, Tilly's is a deliciously melodic strain of indie- pop. Theirs are unashamedly optimistic, happy-clappy tunes you can imagine on the soundtrack to The OC, playing during a scene where all the kids are blissfully skipping along the beach hand in hand.
Dubstep jungle beats and electronic classical piano provided by Nick White on keyboards added extra oomph, but the real oomph comes from the smiling, arm-flailing charisma of all five. And it helps that they all dress like bohemian gipsies, and that the tattoo-speckled girls (completed by singer Neely Jenkins and bass-playing vocalist Kianna Alarid), are all dazzlingly beautiful. The entire spectacle is a delight.
When dreamy solo songs and duets were proffered - namely Lost Girls and Love Song - that didn't initially call for Jamie's feet, the magic was muted slightly, glittering back when we saw our grinning "drummer" tip-toeing quietly back to her patch for an upcoming cue. Her frantic clickety-clack-clack beats made a change from the average thump of a drum kit and served to complement the delicate charm of angelic songs such as Sing Songs Along and Black And Blue.
A "what do you guys want?" encore had the audience of Tilly-kids (the healthiest, happiest looking bunch of indiekids) squealing for cult favourite Pictures Of Houses as The Little Ones and norf-London neo-folkster support act Kate Nash joined the main act on stage. Suddenly whistles, maracas and tambourines saw Scala melt into a summer carnival, while all eyes were still on ever-dancing Jamie, revelling in the fiesta.
All the girls wanted to be her and all the boys wanted to be with her. Heck, she was Jamie Williams before she cast her spell on guitar-strumming bandmate Derek Pressnall, who snapped her up in marriage. But enough gushing. The Tillys are yummy, but I've got to get to the tap-dancing shoe shop.
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
Reader views (2)
Tilly live is one of the happiest musical experiences you could have. This was the 3rd time I've seen them live and they never fail to impress. They always look like their having the time of their lives. The Little Ones and Kate Nash were also great, a really fab line up.
- Jo, London, England, 02/03/2007 13:13
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Totally agree - best band ever - you really have got to experience their magic! Kianna and Neely have AMAZING voices and the whole band really gets so into it and you can't help but feel their happy vibes whilst Jamie brilliantly taps away and Nick and Derek do their thing- smiling dancing singing playing guitar/keyboard!
Last song of the night at the Scala was: Nights of the Living Dead - it had so much energy - you just cant stop being gutted after they finish and wanting more!
I've said it once - I will say it again - they leave you feeling on a natural high for days and they just get better and better each time you see them! FANTASTIC!
- Jaspreet, London, 02/03/2007 01:43
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Tonight:
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