Tennis at Oslo Hackney

Set to the quirky backdrop of Hackney’s Nordic-themed wine bar Oslo, Tennis took to the stage last night. Their first gig in London for over 2 years, the crowd waited with baited breath to see the dreamy duo perform.

Hailing from Denver, the married couple began without so much as a hello and got straight into it. Opening with Mean Streets from their newest EP Small Sound they were instantly forgiven for the lack of introduction as Alaina Moore sang pitch perfect.

She continued to steal the show with her mesmerising vocals while the rest of the band blended into the background. Wearing a striped top and big crimped hair she looked like she’d just stepped out of Cape Dory – the name of their 2011 album after an eight-month sailing trip they took together – which enhanced her superb performance.

Her other half, maritally and musically, Patrick Riley played keyboard, electric guitar and even a bell smoothly. After three songs Moore said her first few words to the audience but she didn’t look that comfortable: it was another story when she sang.

The songs were as dreamy as on the albums, with sunny snyths and romantic hues. It was a shock when Moore addressed the audience and swore but it made her more authentic. During Marathon she stopped and said: “Damn I always forget the words” to which everyone laughed.

Drummer James Barone and the bass guitarist from the second album were there but it was like Moore was a solo artist. She treated the audience to some brand new songs, even claiming one was so new that she’d written for her mother who hadn’t even heard it yet. The new sound was heavier and leaned towards more disco but still worked.

Finishing on one of their better known tracks, Origins topped off a great gig full of smooth grooves, leaving the audience wondering why Tennis aren’t as famous as they should be.

Samantha Waite

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

Watch the video for Origins here: