Delayed for two years, it seems The Birthday Massacre have had a good jaunt around the UK selling out both London shows at the beginning and end of it. This is the last night and there’s a whopping queue already an hour before doors open. Once in and away from all the football fans who also seem in high spirits, it is the turn of the support bands who both, as the evening is unveiled, seem to have become good friends with the headliners and are likely to get invites to further parties, birthday’s or not.

First we have Witch Of The Vale from a remote part of Scotland here in the bustling metropolis which must seem a million miles from their normal habitat. Comprising of Ryan providing instruments from behind electronic keyboard and Erin vocals, the display is dare I say, instantly bewitching and they are quick to cast a spell over us. Dry ice smothers things at first but Erin’s elfin tones easily penetrate as it clears and they are bathed in pastel lighting. This is mellow, a bit like Enya in places and the gorgeous harmonies of songs and lyrics which tell us “it’s too late” are quick to transfix us to their craft.

It’s the opposite from a warm up band really and was not designed to pump us up. The audience is divided between those who want to absorb every note and those annoyingly wanting to chat over it. I suddenly realise that the singer is wearing an eye mask so she is definitely feeling this in a sensory way and whether this helps her voice to naturally soar all the more is an interesting question? Things do progress to the more bombastic side with the dark electronics pumped up a bit on a couple of numbers. Titles I did not catch, further exploration is necessary here. However, one track was recognised in a split second and that’s a gorgeous cover of NIN classic Hurt. Very impressive overall and a sublime and stunning vocal presence, sign me up to your coven please.

Hardly any time to pop out for a smoke before thuds are heard from outside. The second support are Vanilla Sugar and this is how to pump up a crowd and then some. The music is backing tapes (apparently, they do often have live guitar and she performs and plays herself but not tonight). I would normally frown on this but the energy from the LA based singer Jessica Perry could simply not be ignored.

It was like being in the midst of a keep-fit class as she cavorted around the stage, not standing still for a second. The crowd couldn’t help react in a similar fashion and my first thoughts were “this lady is dangerous!” As far as any ex’s are concerned, she certainly proved to be just that and sugar turned to spite with venomous kicked to the curb diatribe “It’s Over” Fast, furious and dizzying girl power knocks us all off our feet. There’s a bit of a poppy sass the likes of Shakira and Britney et all would embrace as well as a darker undercoating taking places out the comfort zone.

Occasional throaty growls gave a little bit of extremity with beseeching, husky chants saying “I just want to be your girlfriend” over pumped up disco beat with added darkwave electro flair. I shouldn’t really have liked this but it was impossible not to. Whether it was sugar or life she was on, the lady was full of it and as soon as she finished playing, she was greeting the audience for photo ops for her social media, even ensnaring this hapless writer to pose for one…

Originally this was meant to be a tour in support of 2020 album ‘Diamonds’ but you know what occurred and since then The Birthday Massacre have released new one ‘Fascination’. I guess you could call this a double celebration then. I noted that previous dates had seen the Canadians playing a massive 20 track set and although not counting they must have just about crammed in that many before the curfew here. Setting out to ‘Destroy” they quickly had audience eating out their hands, many bopping away to the songs at the front sporting trademark bunny ears. Vocalist Chibi commands from the front and is a ball of energy dressed part Alice and part cheerleader, the guitarists scythe in stage left and keyboardist taking up the right.

‘Superstition’ is a fairly early heart-melter that has people swaying to its beat but one thing I noted is that the band are rawer and harder live than they seem to be on well-polished and produced recorded output. It gave them a bit of an impetus even on a sultry number like this. Despite being sold out there seems plenty of space in here to enjoy the show without feeling like a sardine and everyone was making the most of songs like ‘Leaving Tonight’ and bathing in the warm harmonies.

Chibi seems to go out of her way to make everyone feel special, pointing at people in the crowd and making their night all the more memorable. This was a real friendly affair from all the artists involved, making a bit of a difference from the more grim and extreme events I normally attend. There are moments to clap along to, moments to dance like loons and some to just stand there deliriously smiling as we take it all in. The keyboard wrapping around ‘Enter’ sparkles magnificently and title track of recent album ‘Fascination’ is greeted like an old friend, I guess most here already picked that up already. ‘Control’ is more of a banger, backing vocals took a bit of a bum steer at one point but made up for it with some growls a bit later.

No time to go off stage but an encore is not only provided, the band just manage to get three extra songs in ‘Happy Birthday’ is accompanied with stage invasion by support acts and various ghosts and ghouls, with balloons bounced into the crowd. A most enjoyable party in both theme and atmosphere sees everyone leaving with a smile. Personally, I’m glad I caught the band live at last after enjoying their music for quite some time and am pretty sure they will be keen to get back here again at the first opportunity.

Pete Woods