Summer Camp • Scala, London (March 21, 2012)

April 11, 2012 by Alan Pedder in Blog, Photo Gallery

March 21 Tonight marked Elizabeth Sankey and Jeremy Warmsley’s biggest headlining show to date, and the reception that greets them as they walk on stage allows for no doubt that these two have earned it. There’s a sense tonight that they have rehearsed their way into festival mode as they progress through an amped-up setlist that feels commanding where previous shows have been content to simply charm. That’s not to say Summer Camp are any less endearing – the unplugged versions of ‘Losing My Mind’ and a cover of Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Everywhere’, during which Elizabeth walks around the audience and gets everyone singing along, are testament to that – but songs like ‘Nobody Knows You’ and ‘Brian Krakow’ sound defiant and forceful tonight.

‘Better Off Without You’ is an obvious highlight, too, providing the gig’s most perfect singalong moments, but there’s competition coming with the two new songs (possibly to appear on an upcoming EP) aired tonight. Even on first listen, there’s a classic pop sound to both ‘Hurt’ and ‘(Give Me) Life’ that could translate into major hits. The usual graduation of London venues dictates that from the Scala an act is expected to progress to Shepherd’s Bush Empire. See you down the front there in 2013?

Welcome To Condale / Last American Virgin / Nobody Knows You / Round The Moon / Down / Done Forever / Hurt / Summer Camp / (Give Me) Life / Losing My Mind (acoustic) / Ghost Train / Better Off Without You / I Want You / Everywhere (acoustic Fleetwood Mac cover) / Brian Krakow