festnoise | Music & Festivals

Jan 29

Jan 29 Sunset Sons @ Lido in Berlin

After a UK tour in November 2019, Berlin was going to be the last stop of the long-awaited return of Sunset Sons and their short European tour that had previously taken them to France, the Netherlands and Germany. If last Wednesday night was feeling cold and calm in Berlin, inside the iconic Lido, a storm was about to explode with brutal force. This 4 piece group made of Australians and British coming from Hossegor, the iconic and idyllic spot for surfing in the South of France, were finally coming to present the new songs of their second album “Blood Rush Déjà Vu” (2019). And they certainly proved once again that they deserve much more recognition and success than they have!

Energetic and loud, lead singer and keyboard player Rory Williams, together with drummer Jed Laidlaw, bassist Pete Harper and last incorporation for the live shows guitarist Henry Eastham (after guitarist Robin Windram left the band) put everyone to scream and jump, infected by the passion and honesty of an authentic show, one of those where you end up sweating with the feeling of wanting to continue the night, despite being an any Wednesday.

Beginning the show with “Running Man”, single from 2018 EP “The River”, and finishing with “Superman”, single from “Blood Rush Déjà Vu”, proves how confident Sunset Sons are about the new material and the good reception this has had from the fans. However, during the show the group also went through their set with the hits that took them in the past to support bands like Nothing But Thieves or Imagine Dragons, when their career seemed to be taking off once and for all.

Versatiles, top-notch musicality and great on stage, they seemed to be enjoying the show too. More jaunty than in previous occasions was bassist Pete Harper, rocking out with his instantly recognisable look with blonde long hair, hat, skinny pants, tank top and denim jacket. And Rory Williams, shining through his incredible vocals and his ability to empathize with the crowd even mixed with the crowd with a mini keyboard and microphone to play amongst the audience.

Sunset Sons have improved their live performances enormously within these last 5 years, they have undoubtedly a bunch of hits and with “Blood Rush Déjà Vu” they also passed the test of the feared second album, releasing great new material (we just have to listen to songs like Superman or Heroes). However, I have the feeling that uncertainty always floats around this group. I miss some more consistency in their career, or even in their communication strategy. It seems as if somehow they just don't fully believe in their chances - or perhaps it's just the hardness of an often unfair industry - . But truth to be told, whenever I see them (and it's been already several times) I come back home with the feeling that the show could have been the last one. Nevertheless I really wish to be wrong and the future holds many more catchy indie-rock anthems but especially many more shows of these four musicians who seem to genuinely enjoy on stage, but most important make us all enjoy!