King Krule: Gig Review
By Ana Afanaseva
“One thing I can consistently get out of disappointing Hinge dates are good music recommendations”, I thought as I finished my cigarette outside Eventim Apollo, for the first time remembering fondly the guy who came to my flat to show me “The OOZ”, use my expensive facial cleanser, and never call me again. The second thing I thought of is how very well dressed everyone in the queue was. Unsurprisingly so, the people who choose to spend their Monday night listening to King Krule clearly have refined taste.
Whenever I was asked what genre King Krule is, I could not give an answer. His music combines punk with jazz chords and motives and new wave. To top this off, Archy Marshall’s aka King Krule’s low striking baritone makes his songs recognisable from the first note.
Excited for the show, my friends and I made our way to the last row of the rear circle (the cheapest seats we could find) , as the supporting act Sarah Meth played her opening set. Sarah’s music can be described as vulnerable indie pop. My favourite song of hers is “What Does It Mean” in which she reflects on womanhood. Sarah contemplates the essence of womanhood in a world where women's worth is often defined by the way men perceive them. She also has the most amazing merchandise: t-shirts that say “Little Miss Meth”.
As Sarah finished, we noticed the stage design featuring the cover of King Krule’s latest album “Space Heavy” (2023) to which the tour is dedicated and listened to “Autumn Leaves” right before the lights dimmed and the cheering crowd welcomed Archyie Marshall and the band on stage. If you have listened to King Krule’s songs but have not seen him live, I guarantee that you would be surprised. Not many picture a slender ginger man when they hear him scream in a raspy, hoarse voice: “And ‘low Tesco’s stealing my money!” (a message so relatable, all of us can get behind it). King Krule’s stage presence was captivating. Without much movement, he took big, exaggerated steps around the stage while the people in stalls moshed to the unique rhythm guitar sounds which are regularly present in his songs. The themes of the songs ranged from hopelessness, not surprising as Marshall is a native Londoner, to romance. My favourite song from the new album is “Seagirl” ft. Raveena, who was missed but not forgotten at the concert. Raveena’s soft and melancholic soprano offers a perfect contrast to King Krule’s baritone, giving the song a dreamy quality which complements perfectly the theme of a consuming and destructive yet beautiful romantic relationship. The lighting and the stage design contributed to the atmosphere of the show: at one point a giant red moon shone above the stage. King Krule’s set feels like a hazy dream through which you are mesmerised by the interplay of slower lulling songs, saxophone solos and abrasive rhythm guitar accompanied by flickering lights. Before the lights went back on, King Krule came back on stage for an encore, playing his most famous tune “Out Getting Ribs”. Hearing this iconic song live at the end of a great show was like the feeling of emptiness you felt when you walked out of a cinema after watching a life changing film. Needless to say, the tube ride home was spent in quiet contemplation and re-evaluation of my life, which is a sign of a great show and an evening well-spent.