Name: The Naked and Famous, Shepherd’s Bush Empire
Start: 2014-07-02
Location: Shepherd's Bush Empire

The Naked and Famous, Shepherd’s Bush Empire

Synth-heavy New Zealand pop-rockers come to Shepherd's Bush Empire this July with a new album.

It’s no surprise that sunshiney synth-rockers The Naked and Famous hail from New Zealand. The country is spawning some of the most innovative new music at the moment and the band sit comfortably alongside BRIT Award winning Lorde, as you’ll see on July 2.

The sound

This Auckland quintet produce shimmering, energetic and ever so-slightly teenage anthems that make great summer sountracks. Their second album In Rolling Waves is a wistful marriage of melodic synths, delicate vocals and big swelling beats.

DIY...

The band self-produce all their own music, with everything underpinned by the dynamic songwriting duo that is Thom Powers and fellow vocalist Alisa Xayalith.

Live shows

Described by singer Thom Powers as a “visual and audio overload,” on-stage is where they shine. Admittedly “fastidious with rehearsing” and hugely well practiced after completing a mammoth touring schedule (including support slots with Foals), expect a top-quality, polished experience.

What	The Naked and Famous, Shepherd’s Bush Empire
Where	Shepherd's Bush Empire, Shepherd's Bush Green, London, W12 8TT \| MAP
Nearest tube	Shepherd's Bush (underground)
When	On 02 Jul 14, 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Price	£20.25
Website	Click here to book via Ticket Web.

What the critics say

NME

"Vast sonic horizons, throbbing electronics and chugging guitars, [make up] In Rolling Waves with Alisa Xayalith’s cute-as-a-kitten vocals softening the edges. The result of rock band power-move (moving to LA) and life experience (a broken relationship), it’s a self-important album, but an accomplished one.”

GUARDIAN

"The new record contains even more soaring uplift and keyboard bombast. These songs are big, echoey, parade balloons of bittersweet pop that would float away it not for the burdened vocals.”

VENUE

Opening as a music venue in 1994, Shepherd’s Bush Empire has since seen some of the biggest musicians of the last 20 years through its doors. With a capacity of 2,000 it’s small enough to guarantee a decent view of the stage.

NEARBY

The Defectors Weld pub on the Uxbridge Road is spacious and stylish, but we say head to the Bush Theatre bar which is welcoming and utterly charming with a huge outdoor area. If you're up for a walk, head to the lovely, airy Havelock Tavern in Brook Green for a brilliant dinner, down a quiet residential street.