UPON the release of their debut EP Delicious in 2012, Birmingham indie-rockers Peace exploded onto the new music scene. From the great heights of The Guardian and NME, to the hard-to-impress bloggers- Peace were causing a dizzy-stir around the UK before they even got around to releasing their debut album.
Tenement TV gave the debut In Love an impressive 8.5 ranking in our review back in March- its catchy lyrics and funk-tracks the stand-outs. Peace consist of brothers Harry (vocals, guitar) and Samuel Koisser (bass), Douglas Castle (guitar) and Dominic Boyce (drums). The band is in Glasgow for their gig at The Arches when Tenement TV catch up with them to discuss a world of Peace.
“To be honest, we were quite surprised with the interest in the EP, we didn’t think it was going to be such a big deal. We didn’t get to celebrate it or make a big deal of it really, we were away working on the album.”
The nonchalant attitude that Peace portray is very endearing, their shrugs and smiling responses as we get into the nitty-gritty of the undeniable hype that has surrounded the band for the best part of a year is even more so: “I haven’t really felt any hype for us. I have for other bands, but not for us. It just doesn’t sink in or register.
“When we were doing stuff in Birmingham, we didn’t consider it a big deal or analysis it we just had good fun.
“The album has had a different response to the EP. Still positive and everything has been great, but much different.”
Peace are gearing themselves up for a long summer of festivals- home and away. With Harry as the main songwriter, the band discusses the evolving techniques of Peace: “Things constantly evolve and change and we work together focusing on what’s best for the band in terms of writing and recording.
“Now the album is out, it’s just going to be a year of touring. We are really looking forward to Primavera, we are playing Barcelona and that should be really fun.”
Tenement TV are always looking out for the ‘ones to watch’- Peace were extra excited about their support act: “Superfood who are supporting us tonight are absolutely the ones to watch. They have straight away overtaken some of the big bands on the scene. We really, really dig them so that’s why they are on tour with us. They are awesome.”
And that they were, as they opened up for their friends, Superfood put on an impressive performance- one that will lend them well in their journey around the UK on the Peace tour.
Peace in general terms remained enthusiastic embracing their new-found popularity. Harry engaged well with the crowd, delighted at the strong turnout. A sea of girls filled the venue, suggesting they are the new heart-throbs on the scene. This premonition was given justification through the ear-pitched screams and whales as Peace worked through their set.
The Arches remains a strong venue for live music in Glasgow, with a curtain wedging in the crowd and the band under one of its name-stake arches- the sound and atmosphere remained tight and electric.
The band opened with album tracks Follow Baby and Lovesick– the latter standing strong in the set with great sing-alongs from the excited crowd.
Higher than the Sun, Toxic and Wraith merged into a quick twenty minutes of enthusiasm from the crowd as they danced and sung to their hearts content- this was much to the joy of Peace who embraced their energy and regularly exchanged banter with the crowd. Wraith, a ten minute track, was well-received despite the strong use of instrumental which can sometimes drag at live gigs.
As the gig approached it’s end, the crowd become restless- a chorus of the Scottish-coined ‘Here we fucking go’ initiated by lead Harry who is undeniably embracing the electricity of a Scottish crowd. The predictable crowd chant introduces California Days. The final song from the band is Bloodshake, upon its closure the band and crowd exchange mutual appreciation with cheers and claps.
All-in-all Peace put on an impressive performance with their strong tracks from debut EP Delicious and album In Love. Their attitude and energy matched that of the young and energetic crowd- reckless, carefree and at peace with the music.
You can catch Peace perform at Primavera Sound Festival between 22nd-26th May, Glastonbury Festival between 26th -30th June, T in the Park between 11th-14th July, Reading and Leeds Festival between 23rd-25th August and Bestival between 5th-8th September 2013.
By Nadine Walker
