Coves at Brixton Academy

Opening up the Brixton Academy is no easy task, and it sure doesn’t get easier when the band you are opening for happens to be The Pixies. Yet, despite the Black Francis-sized weight on their shoulders, Coves played through their 30-minute slot with aplomb, drawing on the rough-and-ready style of their legendary sponsors.

Like the Raveonettes before them, Coves happily play around with close vocal harmonies, before drowning them in euphoric doses of sound and distortion. Songs like You’re Evil are almost frantic in their construction, howling from screams to the more balanced vocals Rebekah Wood.

It’s not all just demonic noise though – far from it, in fact, as Coves are happy to reveal their more melodic side. Beatings combines aspects of almost everything, with gentle harmonica and acoustics backed superbly by Wood’s atmospheric delivery.

It’s abundantly clear why Brixton Academy’s headline act decided that Coves should open up their only UK date. Their abrasive and in-your-face sound is nothing new to Francis Black and co, who practically pioneered the genre in the late 1980s. Coves were the perfect amuse bouche, and can be more than proud of their efforts in the shadow of heavyweights like The Pixies. They only had 30 minutes, but it was a 30 minutes of blistering sound, fun and, most importantly, attitude.

James Fisher
Photos: Guifré de Paray

For further information about Coves and future events visit here.

Watch the video for Beatings here: