Concert Review: King Krule at Johnny Brenda’s 12/7/13

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by Kirsten Becker

I could be the biggest King Krule fan I know. Since discovering him in 2011 I have been completely obsessed with his completely unique brand of music. King Krule is largely a “love it or hate it” kind of artist, but there’s no denying his incredible talent. Archy Marshall, the 19-year old mastermind behind the project has created a sound all his own. His thick South East London accent doused in heavy reverb combined with hip hop beats and minimalist guitar riffs creates an almost dream-like kind of music. For someone so young, it’s almost astounding how intricately crafted each song on his debut LP 6 Feet Beneath the Moon really is.

Marshall’s December 7th stop in Philadelphia at Johnny Brenda’s was part of his first headlining tour in America, so it was obviously something I had been looking forward to for sometime. To add to the excitement, the show sold out months beforehand.

TOPS opened the show with their 60s-inspired indie rock sound. The Montreal band features ethereal and breathy vocals from Jane Penny over punchy pop guitars and drums. They played songs off of their first full length album, Tender Opposites, which came out last year.

Entering the stage at a little past 11 PM, King Krule took control with their moody brand of indie rock. The band played most of their songs from 6 Feet Beneath the Moon as well as some tracks from their 2011 self-titled EP, most notably the single “The Noose of Jah City.” The dim lighting added to the band’s dark aesthetic and Marshall’s frantic dance moves were a sight to see.

What really shone through was the talent of the band overall. Each member had fine tuned each riff and melody, everything just seemed to click. The show was definitely one of my favorites that I have yet to see. It is looking like things can only get better for King Krule, the wild success of his first album has catapulted him into the spotlight for sure.

Last Official Chart of 2013, 12/2 – 12/9

1 LOS CAMPESINOS! – No Blues
2 DUCKTAILS – Wish Hotel [EP]
3 TENNIS – Small Sound [EP]
4 CULTS – Static
5 ANTHONY GREEN – Young Legs
6 YUCK – Glow And Behold
7 OF MONTREAL – Lousy With Sylvianbriar
8 KING KRULE – 6 Feet Beneath The Moon
9 WOODEN SHJIPS – Back To Land
10 BLOOD ORANGE – Cupid Deluxe
11 DR. DOG – B-Room
12 GRINGO STAR – Floating Out To See
13 POLICA – Shulamith
14 WHITE DENIM – Corsicana Lemonade
15 DIANE COFFEE – My Friend Fish
16 HEAD AND THE HEART – Let’s Be Still
17 MARIJUANA DEATHSQUADS – Oh My Sexy Lord
18 MINOR ALPS – Get There
19 PHANTOGRAM – Phantogram [EP]
20 NOBUNNY – Secret Songs: Reflections From The Ear Mirror
21 CASS MCCOMBS – Big Wheel And Others
22 FUZZ – Live In San Francisco
23 SLEIGH BELLS – Bitter Rivals
24 COURTNEY BARNETT – The Double EP: A Sea Of Split Peas
25 KEVIN DEVINE – Bubblegum
26 NOAH AND THE WHALE – Heart Of Nowhere
27 DALE EARNHARDT JR. JR. – The Speed Of Things
28 MOONFACE – Julia With Blue Jeans On
29 HAIM – Days Are Gone
30 RED FANG – Whales And Leeches

Top Played Artists 11/18 – 11/25

1    TENNIS:    Small Sound [EP]
2    DUCKTAILS:    Wish Hotel [EP]
3    OF MONTREAL:    Lousy With Sylvianbriar
4    LOS CAMPESINOS!:    No Blues
5    DR. DOG:    B-Room
6    KEVIN DEVINE:    Bubblegum
7    YUCK:    Glow And Behold
8    POLICA:    Shulamith
9    SLEIGH BELLS:    Bitter Rivals
10    KING KRULE:    6 Feet Beneath The Moon
11    DEER TICK:    Negativity
12    FRANKIE ROSE:    Herein Wild
13    MINOR ALPS:    Get There
14    COURTNEY BARNETT:    The Double EP: A Sea Of Split Peas
15    PARQUET COURTS:    Tally All The Things That You Broke [EP]
16    WHITE DENIM:    Corsicana Lemonade
17    DIANE COFFEE:    My Friend Fish
18    FLATLINERS:    Dead Language
19    WOODEN SHJIPS:    Back To Land
20    THE BLOW:    The Blow
21    PURLING HISS:    Paisley Montage
22    NOBUNNY:    Secret Songs: Reflections From The Ear Mirror
23    FUZZ:    Fuzz
24    LA LUZ:    It’s Alive
25    MARIJUANA DEATHSQUADS:    Oh My Sexy Lord
26    PHANTOGRAM:    Phantogram [EP]
27    MAN MAN:    On Oni Pond
28    BLOOD ORANGE:    Cupid Deluxe
29    FLASHLIGHTS:    Don’t Take Me Too Seriously
30    NOAH AND THE WHALE:    Heart Of Nowhere

Top Played Artists 10/28/2013 – 11/4/2013

1 OF MONTREAL Lousy With Sylvianbriar
2 DR. DOG B-Room
3 DEER TICK Negativity
4 YUCK Glow And Behold
5 KING KRULE 6 Feet Beneath The Moon
6 PARQUET COURTS Tally All The Things That You Broke [EP]
7 KEVIN DEVINE Bubblegum
8 BELLE AND SEBASTIAN The Third Eye Centre
9 THOSE DARLINS Blur The Line
10 FUZZ Fuzz
11 SLEIGH BELLS Bitter Rivals
12 POLICA Shulamith
13 DALE EARNHARDT JR. JR. The Speed Of Things
14 HAIM Days Are Gone
15 MAN MAN On Oni Pond
16 FRANKIE ROSE Herein Wild
17 PHANTOGRAM Phantogram [EP]
18 THE BLOW The Blow
19 BEST COAST Fade Away
20 UNKNOWN MORTAL ORCHESTRA Blue Record [EP]
21 CHVRCHES The Bones Of What You Believe
22 HEAD AND THE HEART Let’s Be Still
23 RUBBLEBUCKET Save Charlie [EP]
24 OBITS Bed And Bugs
25 MAZZY STAR Seasons Of Your Day
26 CHELSEA WOLFE Pain Is Beauty
27 DISMEMBERMENT PLAN Uncanney Valley
28 COURTNEY BARNETT The Double EP: A Sea Of Split Peas
29 ALBERT HAMMOND JR. AHJ
30 VOLCANO CHOIR Repave

Top Played Artists 10/22 – 10/28

1    OF MONTREAL    Lousy With Sylvianbriar
2    DEER TICK    Negativity
3    YUCK    Glow And Behold
4    DR. DOG    B-Room
5    KING KRULE    6 Feet Beneath The Moon
6    PARQUET COURTS    Tally All The Things That You Broke [EP]
7    SLEIGH BELLS    Bitter Rivals
8    FRANKIE ROSE    Herein Wild
9    THOSE DARLINS    Blur The Line
10    KEVIN DEVINE    Bubblegum
11    MAN MAN    On Oni Pond
12    UNKNOWN MORTAL ORCHESTRA    Blue Record [EP]
13    OBITS    Bed And Bugs
14    FLATLINERS    Dead Language
15    BELLE AND SEBASTIAN    The Third Eye Centre
16    BEST COAST    Fade Away
17    CHVRCHES    The Bones Of What You Believe
18    THE BLOW    The Blow
19    RUBBLEBUCKET    Save Charlie [EP]
20    CHELSEA WOLFE    Pain Is Beauty
21    ELF POWER    Sunlight On The Moon
22    NO AGE    An Object
23    RJD2    More Is Than Isn’t
24    ST. LUCIA    When The Night
25    MGMT    MGMT
26    CRYSTAL STILTS    Nature Noir
27    SUPERCHUNK    I Hate Music
28    TIM KASHER    Adult Film
29    TOUCHE AMORE    Is Survived By
30    WASHED OUT    Paracosm

Top Played Artists 10/14 – 10/22

1    DR. DOG    B-Room
2    DEER TICK    Negativity
3    OF MONTREAL    Lousy With Sylvianbriar
4    UNKNOWN MORTAL ORCHESTRA    Blue Record [EP]
5    FLATLINERS    Dead Language
6    YUCK    Glow And Behold
7    MAN MAN    On Oni Pond
8    HAIM    Days Are Gone
9    THOSE DARLINS    Blur The Line
10    BELLE AND SEBASTIAN    The Third Eye Centre
11    NO AGE     An Object
12    CHVRCHES    The Bones Of What You Believe
13    SLEIGH BELLS    Bitter Rivals
14    KING KRULE    6 Feet Beneath The Moon
15    RJD2      More Is Than Isn’t
16    OBITS     Bed And Bugs
17    SUPERCHUNK    I Hate Music
18    SEBADOH    Defend Yourself
19    RUBBLEBUCKET    Save Charlie [EP]
20    HUNX AND HIS PUNX    Street Punk
21    DIARRHEA PLANET    I’m Rich Beyond Your Wildest Dream
22    FOOTBALL, ETC.    Audible
23    WASHED OUT    Paracosm
24    MODERAT    II    Mute
25    VOLCANO CHOIR    Repave
26    ISLANDS    Ski Mask
27    PORCELAIN RAFT    Permanent Signal
28    CROCODILES    Crimes Of Passion
29    BEST COAST    Fade Away
30    JAGWAR MA    Howlin’