Gig: Bears in Trees @ KOKO, London
Bears in Trees by Isla Kerr
After catching Bears in Trees, The Happy Fits and Lexie Carroll on the Bristol stop of the UK/EU tour, we were thrilled to catch the “ferociously sincere” foursome and crew again in London.
The sun shone down on a crowd of colourfully dressed fans queuing outside Camden’s famed KOKO last Wednesday evening. It was the first day of May but, more importantly, the final UK date of tour in support of the joyous latest release How to Build an Ocean: Instructions. An epic week of shows had taken them and support acts Lexie Carrol and The Happy Fits across the country, before launching into the EU.
On the approach to KOKO, it was evident who was playing there that night. Outfit and hair colours ranged from bright pink to pale green as eager fans waited outside. The excitement was clear on their happy faces, some painted and some sporting hats depicting sunflowers, frogs and everything in between.
Lexie Carroll
Lexie Carroll was cheered onto the stage as she launched into ‘central line’ from her debut EP ‘it’s difficult to talk’. The emotional ballad was sung word for word by some devoted fans near the front who had clearly come early, especially for her.
A short and sweet setlist lasting only 20 minutes had Lexie quite literally skipping across the stage. She hopped and jumped all around as admiring faces smiled up at her, hanging onto every word she sang. Lexie explained how happy she was to have her band of Meg Helstrip (guitar), Darcey Beth (bass) and Sophie Sunday (drums) on stage with her tonight, as she had done the rest of the tour solo.
On top of the impressive run of shows she has done, Lexie shared that she had also sat an exam earlier today. The young artist's dedication to her work is admirable, at just 19 she has already made a name for herself and played the BBC Introducing stage at Reading and Leeds and supported artists such as James Marriott and Lindsey Stirling. Her upcoming tour later this year is sure to be an emotional one. Lexie is one to catch before she is playing these venues as the headliner.
The Happy Fits
A Change in pace came next as the crowd echoed with ‘oooooh’ as the lights dimmed and The Happy Fits walked out.
The New Jersey four-piece are known for their incredible energy and genre-merging tracks. I have to admit, this was the first time I'd seen a cello on stage for an indie rock band and I am now left wondering why I have not before. Calvin Langman was incredibly impressive as he headed vocals while playing it with skill.
Nicole Rosenbach and Raina Mullen joined the band this year, watching them tonight they seem to be at home within the lineup. They move as a unit and all take a turn at vocals.
Calvin jumped from side to side across the stage for ‘So Alright, Cool, Whatever’ and the crowd matched his energy in response. As the set came to an end they were ready to boil over, they jumped high onto the air and waved their arms side to side as the final track ‘Too Late’ drew things to a close.
Bears in Trees
The pre-show playlist was an interesting blend of Keisha, Olivia Rodrigo, My Chemical Romance and Paramore. If that leaves you thinking there would be no way the crowd could know these songs word for word, you'd be wrong. The sound techs even took to cutting the music out mid-track to allow their voices to rise. The room was full of anticipation. Glow Sticks illuminated the audience as Bears in Trees ran onto the stage and wasted no time bursting into ‘Things That Look Like Mistakes’.
The Croydon-based Bears are not a band where roles are defined. They all have unique styles and bring their own personality to the band as they take turns on vocals and talking to the crowd.
Their latest album How to Build an Ocean: Instructions was released under their label ‘I Sure Hope it Does’ as Callum Litchfield shared with the horrifying splits in profit offered to them from other labels. Iain Gillespie followed on ‘Look at this. We may have released an independent record but look at this room.’ ‘We could not have done it without this incredible platform you have given us’. It was a touching truth and one the audience took to heart, it’s not every day your favourite band shares something so personal and has the sincerity to thank you for their success.
‘Permanence’ from the 2020 EP ‘I Want to Feel Chaotic’ was introduced as an older track and as the first chords rang out the crowd screamed in delight. They sang along word for word while swaying side to side.
Nick then asked the crowd ‘Who here has never felt a strong sense of self?’. Many hands were raised in response as he shared that he too struggled with this. Finding identity in ‘comfort characters’ has helped him and he listed some that he has had throughout his ‘Time on Earth’. Ben 10 and Sonic resonated with the crowd and they launched into ‘ I Can’t See Anything I Don’t Like About You’ to cheers.
A Rice Krispies square was thrown onto stage during a water break. Iain joked ‘Let’s play another song 'cause that’s what we're here for, not Squares in Trees’. The crowd laughed and began chanting ‘Squares in Trees, Squares in Trees’.
This was the homecoming gig of the tour and the band had lots of friends in the audience as a result. They devoted ‘Reverberate’ to them and with its touching lyrics of ‘I love my friends they make me feel alive again’ many turned to their own friends to sing to them.
Callum got down into the crowd to sing the second and final track of the encore, ‘Heaven Sent is a Coffee Cup’. He returned to the stage at the same time as The Happy Fits and Lexie Caroll jumped back onto it. A dance party between the three acts drew the night to a close and it was a fitting end for this carefree night.
