Fun Adults at St. Pancras Old Church

Producing distinguished instrumentals in an unconventional composition of acoustics, electronic beats and percussion, the Fun Adults’ single launch at the St. Pancras Old Church underscored the aptitudes of a band that are unlikely to continue to fly under the radar.

Led vocally by Huw Thomas and Deco Pleydell-Pearce, both are skilled on guitar and keyboard (among other instruments) and trade roles throughout the concert, keeping each number that much more dynamic and stimulating. Kyle Molleson accompanies on bass, soundboard and percussion, with Dan Jacobs on drums.

Opening with Peek and Punch, its religious sounding chant in the introduction is hypnotic and befitting of the eerily enticing venue. The space is made more intimate with tealights lit along the rows of seating, casting shadows across the religious paraphernalia.

The tone of the song is initially sombre but when Pleydell-Pearce begins to play the little toy guitar, it becomes much more relaxed and mellow. Thomas’ vocals are powerful and deep, filling the entire room and immediately drawing you in. Although you can’t really hear the lyrics, their sound is phenomenal and, along with eye-catching skeleton graphics that are projected on stage, the amalgamation keeps you entranced.

Acacia is much more calming and tranquil, with Jacobs’ very precise drum strokes driving the tempo.  With drumsticks, Molleson strikes the rim of his drum, adding an extra effect that really showcases the percussion in this track.

Colourful red, yellow and blue projections of painted works from the video for Sap Soild play in the background, both aesthetically pleasing and positively contributing to the overall affable harmony.

Pleydell-Pearce takes the vocals for Til Sleep while Thomas moves to keys. At times the notes he sings can be a little high and you can’t quite make out what he’s saying, but the sound is memorable, when his eyes close as he recites the chorus, it appears much more meaningful.

The band’s single For Water is the finale in this seven-song set. They are synchronized as they move and shake to the tune, genuinely demonstrating enthusiasm for what they do.     

The crowd does not react during the performance but are reserved, as if watching a symphony. But the band aren’t trying to engage them on that level: there’s a mutual appreciation for the music and its ability to speak for itself.

Natasha Fonseka

For further information and future events visit Fun Adults’ Facebook page here.

Watch the video for Sap Solid here: