The Horrors at 100 Club

It is at the iconic 100 Club that The Horrors host their launch show for new album Luminous, and the queue is crawling down Oxford Street long before the doors open. The band play an intimate set in a small space filled with the young and hip, all agog for the performance.

When too-cool-to-live Faris & co hit the stage they blind us with a stunning lightshow. Standing in front of an illuminated H, they blast a surprisingly rocky sound into the crowd. On record this is slightly toned down, but live, they take out every turn they can, with headbangs and guitar solos.

Initially the performance is a bit much, with the instruments blending into messy cacophony, but when your eyes get used to the constant attack of strobe lighting and Faris stops flicking his hair and really gets his head into the music, The Horrors deliver a brilliant rock concert. The sound is now hypnotising, and the lightshow adds another dimension, making it a broader experience. People are dancing, singing and showering themselves in beer.

When guitarist Hayward plays solo a special kind of magic happens. The tranquil tune is enchanting, almost inaudible over the banging of the drums, and he plays as if possessed by a music demon. When he finishes, apparently exhausted, several members of the crowd laugh in disbelief at the musician’s incredible talent. The band gives an absolute climax to the night that is mindblowing.

The Horrors don’t treat the 100 Club to an encore, but there’s no way anything could top their final song. This show is something we will not forget in a hurry.

Johanna Eliasson
Photos: Adam Bennett

For further information and future events visit The Horrors’ website here.

Watch the video for So Now You Know here: