The Trouble with Templeton at Rough Trade East

It’s not often that an artist or band has the opportunity to perform in an environment that is a neutral setting, a place that isn’t primarily set up for a live performance and doesn’t have lots of space for observing fans. Yesterday The Trouble with Templeton faced this potentially intimidating task at Rough Trade East.

There’s the potential for awkwardness at record shop performances as there’s always a chance that the unsuspecting public won’t be interested in hanging around to listen to a relatively unknown band. As The Trouble with Templeton step out there is a small group of browsers in the shop who seem somewhat intrigued by what has emerged in front of them: a bright Australian band who seem determined to show the London audience what their sound is about. The set opens surprisingly loudly, as it’s clear that this is a performance to fill the room as opposed to just provide some kind of background soundtrack to the people’s shopping experience.

Although the audience is small it is obvious they’e gripped from the outset as the band blast their opening track in an unforgiving manner. The predominant feeling from the band’s recorded tracks is that they are an extremely stripped back mellow acoustic indie band that could easily slip into a support slot for bands like Mumford & Sons. The Trouble with Templeton’s live show does seem to differ from their recorded work as there is a definite rock foundation embedded underneath the more indie aspects – they hold their own when it comes to blasting out their unique riffs. There is a definite sense of Radiohead crossed with Motion City Soundtrack as the crystal vocals and independent synth combine to create a sound that at its best is gloriously uplifting and would sound superb in an echoey venue.

Despite the band having a solidly unique sound that translates to the live arena there is still an overriding realisation that the gig is in a record store, meaning the experience is more pleasant than rocking, not necessarily a negative feature but it would be fairer to judge them in a more supportive venue.

Keir Smith

For further information and future events visit The Trouble with Templeton’s website here.

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