The Conclusion of their 2024 tour, going out in style!
A Friday night at Lafayette could not have been a better send off for the boys from Portsmouth who concluded their UK tour in front of a bustling, sold-out crowd. I had heard so much about Crystal Tides over the last couple of years and decided I had to get myself down for their final gig of the year! They had packed in 10 shows across September and October, from Glasgow to Bristol, zooming to all ends of the UK.
The five-man band from England’s south coast were well and truly back in full flow, with this being their first headline tour since 2022.
Tucked away behind Kings Cross station, Lafayette is what I would call a futuristic, compact Globe theatre. Once you enter the room and see the stage, you’re greeted by a venue that offers a beautifully intimate setting. A tight-knit crowd watching from the auditorium, looking onto a proscenium arch and a sea of waving hands from the balcony above.
Kicking off with ‘One Night in Paris’ the energy bar was set high. This fiery number combines sounds and riffs similar to Two Door Cinema Club, mixed in with a bit of Catfish and the Bottlemen. For they match that indie rock style that has you beaming with joy and constant elation.
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The lightning-paced track ‘Last Time’ gave me an early 2000s The Strokes feel, with scintillating guitar riffs and lyrics that echo in your mind for days after. But to put comparisons aside, it’s clear to see that Crystal Tides, without question, bring their own identity.
The boys dressed in white collared shirts and suit trousers could well be mistaken for an oldie style tribute band or even an orchestral quintet and yet it's charming, even more so when those drums kick in, the welcoming guitar seeps into your ears and Billy’s voice eats up the room. They don't just seem to play together on stage, they play for and with each other. This made you feel part of it, almost like seeing childhood friends making it to the big time.
Billy on vocals captivated everyone with his infectious energy, enough to bring the crowd into a messy harmony. Confidence beyond their years was demonstrated in the chemistry shown on stage but not without a little rawness sprinkled in. You could still see the genuine disbelief and joy in their eyes, constantly thanking the punters for being there, but still leading the show with no signs of holding back.
Every head is bobbing and we're chanting along to 'Headcase', with its chorus line, "Why you gotta go get stuck in my head like that?" It’s insane how relatable a lot their work is, as we all certainly have lived that experience in some capacity. Now there’s the song well and truly stuck in my head. The guitar that begins their hit song 'Courtney Love' has an anthem feel to it, something so familiar but so fresh and for a solid hour and a half they delivered a set list of indie rock gold.
They already have built up a memorable discography and in the range of songs they played you could see their artistic progression, but it still is held together by a common, feel-good essence. From 'Backbiting' to 'Ex' and an encore of 'Headcase' and 'Honey', there was never a dull moment. Honey is a bit of a hard hitter in terms of the lyrics, touching on bad choices and old love interests but they bring a silver lining in the composition, making you feel like Billy is wrapping a comforting arm around your shoulder.
Along with lyrics being belted straight back at them, there were chants of Happy Birthday to Harry, guitarist, who had turned 22 that day. Not to mention a regular chorus of “Blue Army”, referencing Portsmouth FC. It must have been quite a feeling to be playing to a sold-out London crowd on your birthday and to be surrounded by friends and family. For it was clear there was a big Portsmouth contingent amongst the crowd, and this blatantly plays a big role in who they are. From other reviews and reports I’ve read of these guys; it appears to be a common theme that they have a local, dedicated fan-base who follow them closely around the country.
Crystal Tides rose to the occasion, finishing their 2024 tour in style. The adrenaline was pulsing through them that night. It certainly played into their hands because it is always incredible to see such a young band own the stage the way they did. I can only begin to imagine their growth will be exponentially skyrocketing in years to come.
Useful links!
Their most recent EP – The Middle – 2024 (spotify)
Upcoming shows on Bandsintown
The boys' Insta
This review was fully independent. Other views from other writers are available on other sites x