Lonsdale Boys Club at The Borderline

Local lads Lonsdale Boys Club return home after a national tour in support of their debut single, Light Me Up. The three-piece have expanded to five for tonight’s sold out show at the legendary Soho venue, The Borderline. 

Just 15 minutes before the boys are due on and already the front of the stage is packed full of teenage girls – unimaginable excitement on their faces – who seem to be the last remaining demographic still interested in this kind of beige, late 90s pop-rock. 

Lead singer Charlie Weaver does a great job of engaging the crowd; especially the aforementioned front rows who know all the words, with plenty of “put your hands in the air” and “I say whoa, you say whoa” moments. The band is tight, an abundance of energy, with clear belief in what they are doing as they rip through a fast-paced set showcasing much of their upcoming album.  The crowd really got moving to the Ska influenced Gypsy and set-closing, hands-in-the-air anthem,  Sista Shake.

While there is nothing particularly original or innovative about the music itself, LBC certainly put on an entertaining live show and their musicianship is not something to be scoffed at.  They have recently been working in New York with production duo, Sam & Sluggo – responsible for the likes of Katy Perry and Fall Out Boy – and it shows. There is such an American pop sound to their music that it is difficult to believe they are actually from West London.

It has been a quick rise so far for the trio, who are signed to Gary Barlow’s label Future and from the look of this show it seems they are only going to continue to succeed with their middle of the road, yet obscenely marketable brand of radio friendly pop tunes. At the end of the set there was a mad rush to the meet and greet desk at the back of the room, while at least one reviewer was making a rush for the exit.

Patrick Jovaras

Visit the official website here.

Watch the video for Light Me Up here