The Lemon Twigs at Electric Ballroom

On the closing night of their tour, The Lemon Twigs filled Camden’s Electric Ballroom with an eclectic mix of indie-rock that made shaggy mullets shake and bell bottoms kick.

A snapshot of the stage is enough to know how the show is going to go. It’s a simple setup, the space taken up by a drum kit and more guitars than there are band members: tonight is all about the music. Brothers Brian and Michael D’Addario share the stage with Danny Ayala and Reza Matin in what is essentially a music machine, working seamlessly together in impressive riffs and haunting trills, letting the instruments speak for themselves. Their musical talent rips through the room, practically smacking the crowd in the face with every extended outro or spotlighted guitar solo, fingers moving so fast that eyes simply cannot keep up. It’s especially evident at the end of What You Were Doing, a track from their recent album that’s even more dazzling in person, memorable under hazy white lights.

The groovy The One and In My Head kick off the show, the band already treating us to their signature guitar solos and rocky, nostalgic sound. With a pleading rendition of hopeful track Live in Favour of Tomorrow, they remind us that they can really sing, and their enchanting harmonies in Hell on Wheels drive the point home. Queen of My School is another highlight of the night, a guitar-fuelled anthem that has the brothers kicking and jumping all over the place, their energy infectious.

Interactions with their fans are few but genuine, the night feeling like one big jam session. There are some friendly hecklers, coos of “I love you” and “Let’s goooooo” adding to the rock’n’roll vibe. The venue reaches its loudest, though, during I Wanna Prove to You – a funky yet swoon-worthy tune from their debut album, Do Hollywood. Their vocals are exceptional here, straining so effortlessly you think they’ll surely break if they belt any higher. But no: it’s flawless.

Towards the end of the show, Brian performs When Winter Comes Around and Corner of My Eye, alone on-stage under a bright spotlight. This small acoustic part of the evening is beautifully vulnerable, the singer’s wavering voice distinct in front of the enraptured audience, each word clear as day, He finishes to cheers and hollers as everyone is left wanting more.

There’s no denying the talent of The Lemon Twigs and their touring members. All multi-instrumentalists, they often switch places, easily playing drums and bass and guitar, as well as delivering vocals. A night with The Lemon Twigs is a fun trip that leaves one inspired – and probably wanting to pick up a guitar.

Talitha Stowell
Photos: Miguel de Melo

For further information and future events visit The Lemon Twigs’s website here.

Watch the video for the single here: