WHEN Kurt Vile takes to the stage, he lets us know that he’s moving at his own pace. The Philadelphian’s manner belongs to someone who has all the time in the world, and his stoner rock music suggests the same, despite the fact he’s a father of two.
Filling Camden’s Roundhouse, it’s clear that he has acquired a cult fan base over the years, as well as bringing in newer fans after the success of his latest album B’lieve I’m Going Down.
Kurt, armed with a beer, walks on stage with his band, ploughing straight into Dust Bunnies – setting the metronome for the night to “chillax”.
Playing songs from each corner of his solo career, Vile performs each song with a strong sense of honesty that almost allows us to picture him writing them in his bedroom. At times it’s as if he forgets he’s performing to us – we see nothing but a curtain of brown curly hair swinging about, and we rarely make eyes with the lead Violator. His consistent charming aloofness suggests we see the real Kurt Vile as opposed to a stage persona.
Kurt Vile at the Roundhouse London
The band waste no time talking to the audience or introducing songs. Instead they savour each valuable minute and dedicate it to adding elaborate guitar fuelled sequels to the end of songs.
Jamming is something Vile has mastered live, and we see him getting lost in them for minutes on end. Charming us into a hypnotic state, I’m found toe tapping to the same two chords. However, it seemed at time that some of jams were lost on newer fans, as there were airs of chatter from the perimeters of the venue. Of course this goes unnoticed, as Vile is lost in his own head.
Tempo picked up significantly when the band burst into the frantic Freak Train. The pace of the song, like an actual train, rattled around the venue – unbelievably fitting as the Roundhouse was once used as a railway engine shed. Vile steamed through the song, occasionally shrieking and whooping between verses, giving the song American authenticity. The unexpected saxophone solo at the end was a pleasant surprise.
Kurt Vile
Vile’s approach to playing a live show is what makes his gigs so unique. Don’t expect word for word perfection. Don’t expect him to ask you how you are. Instead, expect to walk into his world and enjoy the live quirks he has to offer.
by Katrina Mirpuri
Images by Michael Jamison