aaamusic | On 10, Jun 2012

London Thames, 7th June

On the steps by Westminster Pier it’s 7.20pm and a fleet of hipsters in skinny jeans, denim shirts, fedora hats, vintage accessories and colourful socks (but still some hideous white ones too) is spread about Victoria Embankment waiting for the Royal Princess – a very vintage boat – to sail off. Things got late so we had the time to some pre-party people watching and tesco-sandwiching. After a good half hour a guy shouted out to please cue for tickets holder and guestlist. The captain in his proper uniform greeted us, mind the gap between the boat and the platform. After days of depressing weather, a ray of sun and the southbank on the other side looked beautiful.

 

Since 2007 Sexbeat is a genuine family of music lovers, a record label, live events promoter and more. The 5th birthday is a good excuse to have a party and their successful band the Crocodiles just released the new record, Endless Flower.

 

London + Thames + Boat + Concert. It works. The event went quickly sold out.

 

The boat had two levels the lower one with tables and sofas, the upper one with the “stage” and the bar. A girl asked if we could get on the top of the boat. She was looking for a top deck for some sunbathing? Erm. It is not a yacht. Indeed a worn wooden, cute and cosy old and noisy floating machine, dangerously swinging and bending. To prevent the catastrophe the captain said – Please guys move to the other side!

The super narrow steps to access to the toilets and the small portholes, not the best place for claustrophobics.

 

Four hours imprisoned by Sexbeat pirates going west to east and east to west was maybe a bit too much, felt tired at the end. The party was fun, the music was ruvid and loud. Basic equipments, instruments in the middle of the room the background of the lights of London by night.

 

Following indie bands Virals and Weird Dreams, here are the Crocodiles, playing and singing in the tight available space invaded by the crowd, the San Diego band supplied a good set of songs from the new LP and beloved tunes from the previous records.

Lots of energy, excitement, with the singer Brandon Welchez falling over the dancing audience. Distorted guitars, vigorous tempo and the Jesus and Mary Chain lessons packed like sardines in the Royal Princess.

 

Celebrating a birthday and launching a new good indie record on a boat is fun. Do it again.

 

Pietro Nastasi