One EskimO, London ICA

May 14th 2009

We have previously been to the ICA venue and found it a slightly bizarre place. But tonight it works as a perfect setting for One EskimO, a band that oozes originality and creativity.

The stage is dotted with lit up boxes filled with fairy lights and a screen behind that will show the band’s animations that have been created to accompany the album, which we recently saw the screening of at Soho House. For those who missed the hype the last time round, the basic concept is they have created are a series of short animated films to accompany each track, a tale of a little Eskimo with his animal friends – a giraffe, a monkey and a penguin. The animation results create a magical listening experience, and tonight goes further to proving that this unusual element they have incorporated also works perfectly live on stage.

Tonight we are feeling some serious love in the room for this band. The crowd are clearly captivated and rightly so.  The sound is clearly defined in the venue, with such clarity and a vibe that echoes that of the animation. They receive rapturous applause right from the very first track through to the last. ‘Kandi’ is simple and sincere; creating a calm and tranquil mood in the room with deep beats that blend with the beautiful vocal performance of Kristian Leontiou.

What is unusual about the set is that where most bands have banter with the crowd and chat between songs, there is little of this during One EskimO’s set. But this is seemingly important as there is such an atmosphere in the room, the crowd has become mesmerised and any chat would have ruined this atmosphere that they have created.

‘Astronauts’ takes us to a place where it feels like we are being encapsulated in the snow globe that features in the animation. The sound surrounds us, charming and beautiful with a warming and safe feeling.

A tribal beat kicks in for the most dramatic track in the set, a real depth to the sound as the vibe changes. There is such a real sense of feeling and emotion in Kristian’s face as he hollers “Let me face hurricanes”. The track reflects the animation as he stares up into the sky like the characters.

The crowd sway and move to the tambourine beats as we are pulled deeper into the songs. The listening becomes almost a state of being as you find your imagination being taken on a journey, a clarity in the sound that gives you goose bumps. What is important about the tracks is that there is a strong musical element, but none of it takes away from the purity and sincerity of the vocals.  The onlookers are loving this band, they are on fire tonight! Or should that be ice…

An encore is inevitable as the crowd refuses to leave the room at the end of the set, not one person stirs, frozen to the spot. The finale features a never played before cover of ‘Hi-lo and Inbetween’ by Neil Halstead; “Kathy, I can still see stars/the same ones that we wished upon”. What is special about this cover is that the band make it their own, they put a real One EskimO sound to it that would certainly not be out of place on the album.  It is clearly a well considered choice, a worthwhile cover rather than doing a cover just for the sake of it. In fact it is a highlight of the set tonight. The set closes with ‘Balloons’ “It’s only five miles to heaven…” as the beat picks up.

Having first seen the animation with the album, we had been slightly pessimistic about it working as a live set, but what One EskimO have proven is that it more than works as a live show, and seemingly not one person in the ICA would argue with that. A crowd that leaves with smiles on their faces… now that’s what we like to see.

Keep your ears out for this band because they are, to put it simply, pretty damn incredible. Ignore at your peril.