The Shoes & David E. Sugar. The Garage

The Shoes are probably one of the best bands you will listen to this week. And now they have a single out. We saw them at the Garage with David E. Sugar. What did we think? Read on…Edging up the stairs of the Garage a pumping beat floats down the corridor foreshadowing something good, and the sight of David. E. Sugar, synth at feet and guitar in hand confirms this as the band rip through a repertoire of electro infused nuggets with a sound that fills the room.

Even though the crowd isn’t as packed as it should be (and those who stayed downstairs will regret their choice not to peek upstairs when David E. Sugar enter, the music flows. After all anyone who has releases on Kitsune has a certain seal of approval and despite the small scale crowd there is a lot of bobbing around as even the most self conscious can’t help but move to the infectious beats. Making the setting even more intimate, each song is dedicated with much eye-contact to various audience members. David E Sugar leave the set on a high with ‘Chelsea Girls’, with it’s skittering beats and self-deprecating lyrics, sets the scene perfectly for the Shoes.

Taking their place amongst the French electro pulse than has been travelling across the Channel the Shoes combine statuesque coolness with an indefatigable energy, which vibrates off the stage. After a few technical setbacks they took to the stage in a midst of French mumbling and microphone adjusting. All in suits their Rat Pack electro has gained a reputation for.

Again with a Kitsune endorsed flavour The Shoes have proven their Sebastian take on electro- a bit harder sounding- works well. A flux of bodies moves in time with the scattered break-beats and the dual protagonists of the Shoes pumps the room with high-octane energy.

Track ‘America’ is fraught with heavy beats and what sounds like a UK garage sample in the background. Shouting into the microphones and their sounds reverberating out into the room this is a strong song, especially as the Shoes may be more known for their remixing abilities rather than original material. ‘Cover Your Eyes’ takes a different vein with a jumpier beat and softer vocals, with twanging guitars and it has a roving quality.

Each song bleeds perfectly to the next with the crowd moving to the music- the Shoes have a magic which weaves out and their cool factor is only enhanced by the fact their track ‘Bored’ was featured on Gossip Girl. Catch them if you can.

- Jade French