Some share a consensus that Sundays are always a different day to perform and harder to pull a crowd for, yet today that was nobody’s issue. A double bill at The Finsbury, George David opens for passionate Porteous, the four-piece bounding while their opener leads you slowly into the dark.
The Finsbury is, to me, a minimalistic space but that only gives acts more room to work with. It demands presence, requires performers capable of filling each nook, cranny and sticky spilt-beer-coated table. Tonight, both acts succeed in that but by means on polar ends of the spectrum.
Fingerpicking solemnly his heartfelt single ‘Fingertips’ George takes you on that walk home, that heavy-hearted slug, cold and alone. He confides in you, with thoughts we often hope to avoid. Areas of uncomfortable reckoning approached with a beautiful sensitivity. You’re left wondering if you’ve ever had a unique experience, faced with the universality of feeling.
Sharing nearly in whispers, ‘Evil’ plucked empathy from somewhere preserved. His realism enveloped you further in his stories, and his ability to poeticize themes and content so very natural and ‘normal’ was outstanding – I doubt I’ll ever hear another romanticize Walthamstow so sweetly as he does with “Blackhorse Road”.
Here the two acts juxtapose one another so successfully; George ripped down barriers, reached to the tendrils of sentiment, vocally reminiscent of Sufjan Stevens his voice drew on that vulnerable and raw part of the subconscious which later allowed Porteous to waltz in, one great wall of sound that builds to a climax of danceable mania. They were allowed to build, given a sandbox of feelings ready to swell that they could then propel to great heights.
Not your typical frontman, Porteous is led by a multi-instrumentalist with astonishing range, duel-wielding the keyboard and his guitar all while providing lead vocals, Porteous’ cacophony of confidence was perfectly complimented by his band.
Keeping it real with recently released ‘Fake Id’ and almost jumping from his skin there’s something refreshing in seeing an act enjoying themselves as much as the crowd.
Oozing with energy yet still so smoothly slowing it down in seconds for a piano led tribute to his newly wed wife. Their versatility is massively commendable while their set features love songs and the joyfully inclined, they spin their indie funk goodness to lead the crowd to dance to “Break The Cycle” a track rife with hatred and frustration aimed at work/life balance. It takes talent to get loose to issues wound up real tight.
I, at first glance, probably wouldn’t categorize these two together but in that I would be wrong. They meshed incredibly well and molded together the fun night out I so desperately needed. You can hear from both acts on streaming sites and expect new music from Porteous soon.
