Brum Shots

Some bands, it’s fair to say were made to headline stadiums. An anthemic sound designed for nothing less than tens of thousands of voices harmonising as they sing the chorus of their greatest hits.

And some bands were made for dark intimate venues where the sweaty, bouncing crowd are pressed against the stage. Tonight at Castle & Falcon, Model/Actriz make it clear that they are the latter.

Vocalist Cole Haden struts onto stage in nerverackingly high-heeled boots a cape that forms a striking silhouette against the dark red backlighting. In opening track ‘Vesper,’ he demands more energy from the crowd, and doesn’t have to ask twice. Almost like a conducter, he is able to control the crowd without so much of a word. When he crouches down in the centre of the crowd, they all follow him and launch themselves into the air as a mass when he leads the final chorus of ‘Amaranth’. It’s certainly entrancing, verging on seductive.

The rest of the band run a tight ship, the consistently thumping bass turning the packed room into more of a nightclub than gig venue.

‘Acid Rain’?’ provides some light relief with a slower pace and some gentle ballet dancing, but it’s a rare moment of quiet in an otherwise upbeat and energetic set.

It’s unlikely the New York foursome will be playing venues of this size for much longer in their career, but that it so much of what is providing the experience. In between screaming lyrics directly into the front row faces and spending almost as much time in the centre of the mosh pit, it’s a set build for intimacy and inclusion. So see them when you can – with Model/Actriz, smaller is better.