Words & Pictures: Adrian Hextall \ MindHex Media
KEELEY, fronted by singer/guitarist/songwriter Keeley Moss, has, incredibly thrown into a sub-genre called ‘shoegaze’ which to me, on the face of it, sounds remarkably insulting. However I think the point that the site that mentioned it was trying to get across is that you look down and absorb the music emanating from the stage. During Keeley’s mid set headline slot, the vibe was certainly immersive with people seemingly coming out of trances to applaud and cheers the talented front woman who was playing only the second ever gig with her current band line up.
Before Keeley hit the stage, solo artist Mari Dangerfield took to the stage with her subtle and emotive brand of music that relied heavily on electronica and loops.
Mari Dangerfield
Mari Dangerfield is an artist, producer, writer and musician from London of both British and Portuguese heritage. She describes her songs as ‘fragile’ she utilises the electronic music to give her soft yet powerful voice a platform and has just reissued her debut album through London-based indie label Dimple Discs. Her new EP ‘Eco-Fever’ drops on 23rd June 2023.
Her kit in front of her on the Water Rats stage includes a Stylophone S-1, a unique instrument, rarely heard but she employed very cleverly and to great effect. Combined with the electronic samples and loops employed as well, she warmed a receptive crowd up very well in short order and ready for Keeley’s set.
Keeley
Fully embracing the vibe of the sub-genres of dream pop, shoegaze, electropop and experimental guitar, I would also argue that Keeley has a classic indie vibe core to their music. Fans of Suede will find much to like here and whilst not as heavy an indie-rock outfit as Suede, the pop-rock leanings of Keeley definitely tick all of the right boxes.
A decent length set that saw the band perform as the current three piece of Keeley and Luke Foxtrot Mitchell on bass & Tom Fenner of Microdisney on drums. With Fenner keeping everyone grounded and on point, the pairing of Moss and Mitchell worked really well. Luke clearly having a blast and engaging well with the audience when Keeley needed to return her guitar. He’s also got some grooves there and suits Keeley’s playing style very well indeed.
A solid 13 song set included 7 tracks from her upcoming full length debut album ‘Floating Above Everything Else’ giving the decent sized crowd ample opportunity to get a feel of what to expect when it’s released. The balance come from last year’s ‘Drawn To The Flame’ digital release which includes ‘Boarded Up In Belfast’ and acts almost as a counter piece to a track on the new album called ‘To A London Sunrise’. A neat move keeping both the English and Northern Irish fans of which there are clearly a few, happy and feeling the love.
The songs themselves fill the room beautifully. It’s easy to get lost in the music and the live setting definitely brings out the best of the sound that Keely is looking for. Whilst the studio music, and I’ve heard both last year’s release and the new one, is great to listen to in the comfort of your own home, live it adds another dimension as the sound travelled around and through people in front of the Water Rats stage.
To feel the bass rumble through the floor and up your legs whilst Keeley’s vocals and sublime guitar work felt like spirits passing through members of the crowd was quite the uplifting experience. The indie-pop feel with Tom Fenner’s drumming kept it all feeling modern and fresh and avoided it all becoming a little too transcendental.
A glorious mix of storytelling, uplifting tunes and vibrant indie-pop. The correct terminology for the sub genres is , I believe, nu-gaze, which definitely sounds preferable to shoegaze. Either way, look, listen, stare at the floor if you must and then just absorb the music on offer. You won’t regret it.
https://www.facebook.com/keeleysound/
https://keeleysound.bandcamp.com/album/drawn-to-the-flame
Keeley’s next gig is in Ireland for ONE NIGHT ONLY, the debut KEELEY album launch at The Workman’s Club, Dublin Cellar this coming Friday June 16th. Last few tickets available for just €10 here: https://www.eventbrite.ie/…/keeley-album-launch-at-the…
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