Arthur Beatrice at Rough Trade East

What a lovely surprise: Arthur Beatrice are the fresh sound of the incoming spring, and yesterday at Rough Trade East the band showed off their crisp music, bringing their cool set to a happy audience. Proust once said that the beauty is not in the colours but in their harmony, and this is perfectly pertinent if applied to this young band. The harmony of their music, made by the members onstage and by the contrast of their music – a sagacious mix of pop and dance – gives them a certain beauty.

The name shouldn’t mislead: Arthur and Beatrice aren’t the names of the singers but as said in a recent interview by drummer Elliott, the name of two songs, “both about two people who were opposites but worked together well, and that philosophy has carried on”. These two souls and elements are key to the music of the band. Dance and pop are perfectly mixed up, and onstage these elements are highlighted, thanks to an excellent rhythm section and a great work on the voices and the choruses, which manage to create some psychedelic intrigue.

The band has not a single frontman/singer, but all the members contribute to singing all the songs (Grand Union), alternating the voices or singing in chorus. This sophistication of weaving levels is the secret of their music (Late; Midland; Ornament & Safeguard), as it gives a modulation that never bores. They play with the curiosity of the listener, in the same pop-like way of Metronomy.

For all these reasons, yesterday at the venue the number of people was bigger than usual, as there is a clear interest in the band, absolutely deserved.

Lorenzo Cibrario
Photos: Lorenzo Cibrario

For further information and future events visit Arthur Beatrice’s website here.

Watch the video for Midland here: