January 25, 2018: Liv Austen at The Bedford, London
10 p.m. in Balham on a school night?! That’s the kind of scheduling that suggests Liv Austen doesn’t like us much. That’s unless you’ve ever heard or met her, of course. Obviously, Liv Austen at The Bedford turned out to be an unadulterated treat – on a school night!
The Bedford was packed by the time Austen and her band took to the stage. They kicked off with Part-Time Sweetheart which was a great introduction to the experience of a Liv Austen show. It foregrounded the exquisite uncanniness of feeling familiar with her songs even if you’ve never heard them before. It was catchy and slick.
You may know Austen from such frickin’ brilliant songs as The Next Time. The second it was hinted at, a sea of camera phones lit up the room all ready to film. Austen and the band did not disappoint. It’s the kind of song that makes you want to kick all the chairs and tables away to make a dance floor. Sadly, everyone was too busy filming to get involved with this excellent plan.
*Apparently* playing the same song another five times isn’t actually a thing. Then again, acceptance of other music isn’t such a hardship when what was still to come. The eager crowd were treated to other bangers like Miss Nobody and Don’t Regret A Single One, more introspective tunes like Detour, and a cover of Sigrid’s Don’t Kill My Vibe.
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