Review: Friendly Fires @ Ibiza Rocks

When: 29th June 2011

Where: Ibiza Rocks Hotel, San Antonio

Reviewed by: Jo Waddington

Wednesday 29th June saw Skiddle return to the White Isle for another installment of Ibiza Rocks. Fresh from a storming set at muddy Glastonbury over the weekend, headliners Friendly Fires were guaranteed not to set eyes on any wellies or waterproofs as the Spanish sunshine had been warming up the revellers in a clear blue sky all day.

Lathered in aftersun and accompanied with an ice-cold beer, we head poolside to the Ibiza Rocks hotel just in time for Metronomy. The sun is going down and disco vibes fill the air. Their enchanting performance gets each member of the crowd swaying and bum wiggling. Bellowing synths, drums and guitars teamed with Joseph Mount’s effortless vocals seem to possess the audience. Metronomy play tracks from their new album ‘The English Riviera’ as well as favourites such as ‘Heartbreaker’ and ‘A Thing For Me’. ‘The Look’ was a particular highlight of their set, where they also concluded with the famous trademark flashing t-shirts for final track ‘On Dancefloors’.

Decks are quickly set up on the main stage for the surprise guest, who is also tonight’s Ibiza Rocks Aftershow Party DJ, Kissy Sell Out. In comparison to the mellow disco-funk session with the Metronomy gang, Kissy is like an escaped madman causing a riot onstage with mix after mix of some incredible tunes. The high energy mash-up of electro synths, heavy basslines and massive breakdowns inject a wave of energy into the audience who are gearing up for their headliner…

Soon enough, its time for the St Albans trio to take centre stage. Electro-pop /dance-punk, /alternative-disco - so many categories to describe a band who are quite clearly in no need of labels. Straight into first album favourite ‘Lovesick’, Friendly Fires immediately encapsulate the audience into the feel-good vibe their music embodies. Despite the fact that their new album ‘Pala’ was only released a month ago, the band play it almost in its entirety. There is stark contrast between the 80’s electro-pop theme of the first album and the sophisticated and euphoric theme of the new material but the experimental retro dance feel is still very much present and still very Ibiza. ‘Blue Cassette’ is a beautiful track from Pala and already seems to have transformed into a ‘hands in the air’ anthem. ‘Running Away’ envelopes the crowd into a state of spaced-out euphoria, and the positive response from the crowd for ‘Hurting’ and ‘Show Me Lights’ could also put them in the running for possible the next single.

It is safe to say that everyone seems to go wild for oldies like ‘Jump In The Pool’ and ‘In The Hospital’. Lead singer Ed Macfarlane left the stage and ventured in to the dark depths of the mosh-pit for ‘On Board’ and luckily remained intact. Macfarlane has been on form for the entire set with his sensational hip gyrations and pelvic thrusts. He seems to be the only lead in a band that really knows how to shake what his mother gave him. The expressive dancing takes hold of the Ibiza Rocks crowd, especially for ‘Skeleton Boy’, which results in some pretty odd yet hilarious, dance moves (think robotic dancing and Beyonce hip shaking). Guitarist Jack Savidge gives Macfarlane a run for his money as he manages to jump up and down, twisting ant turning from one side of the stage to the other while still maintaining composure on the guitar. Very impressive.

After big hit ‘Paris’, we are lead to believe that we have had our Friendly Fires fill. The disappointment is short-lived as the band comes back on stage and kicks straight into new single ‘Hawaiian Air’. A pretty apt number considering the warm Balearic breeze coupled with Macfarlane’s pretty exquisite Hawaiian shirt.

Final song of the evening is ‘Kiss Of Life’ – the video of which was actually shot in Ibiza in 2009. It’s the perfect song to end an epic performance. The carnival beats and enchanting lyrics fit together perfectly with the whole vibe of the gig. Before the song ends, Macfarlane runs off the stage, across to the pool and dives in fully clothed! Drummer Edd Gibson builds up momentum and delivers an utterly brilliant frantic, canrnival-esque drum solo while Macfarlane does half a lap in the pool and a handstand before running back onstage soaking wet to finish the song. The crowd love every second and leave the confines of Ibiza Rocks beaming and smiling ear to ear.

Words cannot describe the energy and passion Friendly Fires put into their live performances. If you could bottle and sell it, it would be priceless. Together, the eclectic sounds and instruments create a cocktail of highly percussive and highly danceable tracks. Yet another HUGE Ibiza Rocks event and only 5 weeks into the season…

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