Sky high with Cloud Control at XOYO in London

A problem with seeing a band you’ve been anticipating for a few months in advance is your expectations are high and you have a pre-defined idea of how they’ll sound.

This was the case for me with Cloud Control’s London show last night. From the Blue Mountains near Sydney, they’re here for the UK summer and have been on the wish list a while.

Filling out XOYO, the 800 people capacity venue in East London, was evidence they are building momentum in the UK.

Their arrival on stage brought loud cheers from the audience and they set straight into their harmonic hit ‘Meditation Song #2’. They gave it and the first few songs an edgier and more psychedelic feel than you hear on the record.

Breaking it down for the 2nd half, the folk melodic sound they are heralded with started up. The combinations of male and female vocals they use are powerful and almost linger over the audience with effective results.

A real shame was they only played a 45 minute set without encore and missed out on a few of their hits like Buffalo Country. They didn’t mess around though, delivering ten tunes for the night.

A highlight had to be an extended version of ‘Gold Canary’ which also included an impromptu rap of the Butthole Surfers song ‘Pepper’, totally unexpected and it oddly fitted in.

They’re playing a lot in London and the UK over the next six months, you should check them out. My expectations of what they would sound like live were challenged but they certainly weren’t disappointed.

Update: Just announced – Cloud Control to play NME Awards Show tour at Electric Ballroom in Camden, London