Childhood, XOYO

For a genre claimed to be named after a pejorative remark about its acts’ stage presence, shoegaze lends itself remarkably well to pop. There’s nothing quite like the dreamy gauze of guitar noise, simultaneously mystical and nostalgic, combined with soaring melodies – something Childhood understand like few other young bands. As one of only two planned gigs in coming months, Childhood are playing Shoreditch’s XOYO.
Formed by South Londoners Ben Romans-Hopcraft (vocals/guitar) and Leo Dobsen (guitar) while studying at the University of Nottingham, the band gained two more members and a strong local reputation while performing throughout that city. Their debut single ‘Blue Velvet’ laid down the blueprint, with Romans-Hopcraft’s distorted voice keening over a rolling riff, leading towards an ecstatic chorus. There’s much of Ride here, but also the gentle songcraft of the Beatles and the addled bounce of the Stone Roses. Follow-up ‘Solemn Skies’ adds a splash of psychedelia and a smattering of jangle-pop. And ‘Falls Away’, released in advance of album Lacuna, proves that Childhood can do sombre and affecting as well as sunnily nostalgic. Catch them before they’re huge.