Live Review: The Magic Gang – Roundhouse, London 23/05/24
There’s no disputing that the past decade has seen punk and post-punk music make a triumphant return to the mainstream, with the likes of IDLES, Wet Leg, SOFT PLAY and Yard Act breathing new life into the genres. But what of good old fashioned indie rock? While some might argue bands such as Blossoms and The 1975 have kept that particular flame burning brightly, others would dismiss them as bland and uninspiring. One indie band almost everyone can agree on, however, is The Magic Gang.
The Brighton quartet formed in 2013, attracting an enthusiastic local following via raucous gigs held in their basement, before signing to Yala! Records, later followed by Warner. The band released their eponymous debut album to critical acclaim in 2018, its euphoric power-pop a glorious antidote to the gloomier post-punk which was (and still is) en vogue. The record’s use of intricate vocal harmonies, meanwhile, harked back to music greats like The Beach Boys and The Beatles, giving The Magic Gang a modern classicism which immediately set them apart from their peers. They followed it up with sophomore effort ‘Death of the Party’, an ambitious LP which saw the four-piece delve into disco and Northern Soul, albeit with grittier lyrical themes casting a darker shadow than their sun-drenched debut. Now, after over a decade playing together, The Magic Gang have called time on the band, with co-vocalists and guitarists Jack Kaye and Kristian Smith, bassist Angus Taylor, and drummer Paeris Giles all looking to explore varying creative pursuits individually. Before that, though, fans are treated to three farewell shows, culminating at London’s iconic Roundhouse.
Stepping in from the streets of Camden, the bubbling anticipation in the air is immediate and undeniable. Much of the refreshingly young crowd have congregated at the bar for last-minute pints, with large groups of under twenty fives’ in Magic Gang merch and high spirits, despite the bittersweet nature of the show. If they absolutely have to say goodbye to their favourite band, then they’re going to give them a damn good send off. After a charmingly off-kilter support slot from the country-tinged Alan Power, and a wittily rousing final introduction from comedian and long-time friend of the band Rory Marshall, The Magic Gang take to the stage for their last ever headline gig (at least for the foreseeable future). “Every great magician has their finale” drawls Marshall. “One last trick up the sleeve, the disappearing act”. Cue a chorus of boos from the lively crowd, mixed with laughter which only grows with his ingenious kiss-off line: “Now you see them, now you don’t”, he deadpans as Sarah Vaughn’s rendition of ‘It’s Magic’ rings out across the room.
The time has come. Under a flurry of flashing white light, the four-piece launch straight into the dramatic instrumentation of ‘Intro’, segueing into the infectiously soulful pop of ‘Think’ before deploying two first album classics; the anthemic ‘Getting Along’, followed by the joyous ‘All This Way’. Both receive a glowing reception, with some punters climbing onto each other’s shoulders for rowdy mass singalongs, arms raised and dreams realised, for a fleeting moment at least. The band then reward their loyal fans with three songs from their three EP’s released between 2016 and 2017, and judging by the surprisingly audible response, they’re out in full force. Next up is the glimmering ‘Death of the Party’, which sounds particularly good paired with the awe-inspiring visual that the glitterball above the stage provides. Silver sparkles of light bounce around the historic venue as the band nail the song’s earworm chorus, and with Kaye suited up stage centre, for a moment it’s as if Arctic Monkeys have returned to The Roundhouse, Mirrorball in tow.
‘What Have You Got To Lose?’ gets people moving with its danceable chorus, while ‘Just a Minute’ sees Smith let loose on his guitar for a fantastic extended solo. The understated ‘She Won’t Ghost’ is followed by the crowd-pleasing one-two of debut album anthems ‘Alright’ and ‘Jasmine’, with the latter receiving an especially rapturous response, the crowd singing along to its catchy riff as well as every word. The band keep this energy flowing with the Beatles-esque ‘Your Love’, before dropping into the atmospheric ‘Hotel Apathy’. Rounding out the main set with the formidably melodic finale of ‘Slippin’, ‘Caroline’ and ‘All That I Want Is You’, it’s plain to see that The Magic Gang are leaving a sizeable gap in the market; no modern indie band has managed to equal, let alone top, their hook-laden, heartfelt brand of pop rock. It might sound simple, but it’s a formula they’ve absolutely mastered.
After a brief hiatus from the stage, the band return for a beautifully bittersweet encore. While everyone knew they’d be back shortly after they left before, after these songs there’s no guarantee we’ll see them on stage together again. This dynamic gives ‘Life Without You’ an ethereal power, and as the mirrorball shimmers time really does seem to slow down. In the darkness of the venue and the dreamy melancholy of the song, some tears are surely shed amongst long-term fans accepting that this is the end of the line.
As if sensing this, the guys ease the audience back into a more positive frame of mind with a comfortingly nostalgic cover of Ziggy Marley & the Melody Makers ‘Believe In Yourself’- aka the Arthur theme song. It’s a lovely moment which helps everyone to say goodbye with a smile, and this is only aided by the next song, the soft disco jam ‘Take Back The Track’. After this there’s only time for one more song, and what better way to close their career than with an emotional rendition of breakout debut album hit ‘How Can I Compete’? “Exit out the same way you are came/ Leaving such a hole in the city”, sings Kaye poignantly, and as he ends the song with a stripped back crowd singalong, it’s clear that The Magic Gang are leaving a huge hole not just in the city of Brighton, but in the modern indie rock sphere which they led. They may now be gone, but judging by tonight’s turnout, they will not be forgotten.
We can only hope reappearing is another of the tricks tucked up their collective sleeve.
Words by Ben Left
Photography by James Baker
