The Dodos - Hoxton Square Bar and Kitchen - 2nd June 2008

Tonight is the Dodos' first ever performance in London, their outstanding second album 'Visiter' isn't due out in England for over a month, but the amount of praise and reputation that it's been getting via the internet is enough to draw a sell-out crowd tonight. They seem nervous as they take to the stage but they needn't be, the crowd is excited and maybe even feel privileged to be at the show of one of modern music's best kept secrets, which probably won't be a secret for much longer.

Meric Long, looking like an indie Tom DeLonge with twice as much talent, sits down on a battered looking wooden chair and is instantly ready to play. They start the show with a few songs from their debut LP including standout track 'Trades and Tariffs'. Logan Kroeber on drums sporting what can only be described as a "porno tash" adds backing vocals firming up the songs.

Early on in the show Long shows off his multi-instrumental skills by producing a trombone from the side of the stage and playing a haunting solo. He also uses his looping pedals to great effects to create an eerie backing that leads into the next song.


The crowd take this all in with warm applause for each track, but it's not until Kroeber's big drums, which are characteristic of the fantastic sophomore album and signify the beginning of 'Fools' that the crowd gets truly excited. When the crowd chants along with the song's floating chorus Long seems genuinely surprised and a smile instantly takes to his face.

From here on the majority of 'Visiter' is played with gusto and passion, singer and drummer seem to have a telepathic bond, managing to keep time perfectly through their sweeping and ever changing range of songs. There are complaints from the crowd that the vocals are inaudible and Long is keen to keep the audience happy so does his best to tell the sound tech to increase the vocals to little avail. The vocal levels finally seem to be fixed just in time for one of their finest songs 'Red and Purple', unfortunately it seems that the guitar sound has been sacrificed for this. The slight problem doesn't slow The Dodos' one bit, Kroeber's tribal influenced drums are solid as ever and pin the song down keeping the crowd enraptured. The duo seem determined to enjoy their first experience of the English capital.


They are often joined on stage by Joe Haener who is there to add a few additional tinkles on xylophone from time to time, but mostly to add to the noise by banging on a trash can rhythmically in time with the music.

A colossal 'Paint the Rust' is the highlight of the night, all three performers playing their hearts out to one of their rockiest songs. Long rocks back and forth like a manic old man in a rocking chair whilst strumming his guitar, just about managing to steady himself enough to get out the vocals when the time comes. Kroeber makes plenty of noise despite not having a bass drum (a tambourine taped to the bottom of his foot is preferred) and Haener, as ever, is banging on the trash can with as much strength as he can muster. It's a rousing performance.

When the time comes for the main set to end, the band avoids walking off stage through the crowd only to make them call them back on again, they don't have super sized egos yet. Instead they sit at the side for a few seconds soaking up the applause before returning to their instruments.


At the request of the crowd they play the sublime 'Ashley' which is a definite highlight of the night. Haener is more constructive in this song, adding haunting atmospheric keyboards to the delightful tune. Long's vocals are spot on and take the song to another level.

Video: The Dodos - 'Ashley'

Without fully stopping between songs they move straight into 'The Ball' a song from their first album. It gradually builds up into a nice cacophony of rhythmic strumming and drumming before returning back down to earth for the members to play out the end of the show. It's a nice way to finish.

At the end the band are all smiles as they leave the stage, but their job is not done yet, they're off to the back of the room to sell their merchandise!

Rating: 7.8/10
Best Part: Band and crowd alike rocking out during 'Paint the Rust' and enjoying it thoroughly

See the rest of my photos from the gig by clicking HERE

If you haven't heard of The Dodos here are some of my favourite songs for you to download:

Trades and Tariffs (from Beware of the Maniacs)
Red and Purple (from Visiter)
Fools (from Visiter)
Joe's Waltz (from Visiter)
Paint the Rust (from Visiter)
Jodi (from Visiter)
Ashley (from Visiter)

or download the whole of 'Visiter' which is certainly one of the best albums of 2008 and I highly recommend it, by clicking HERE (.zip file)

Video: The Dodos - 'It's That Time Again'