Razorlight

After rising to the top of the charts and gracing the cover of major publications in the UK, London's Razorlight found themselves across the pond to prove and attempting to prove that they live up to every word of the hype. Originally planned for last November, the band's debut Canadian gig was cancelled in order to play the popular TV show Later…With Jools Holland in their homeland. It turns out that the postponement has worked to their advantage because judging by the sold-out crowd, quite a buzz has been built in the last couple months. Opening with the passionate warning of "Don't Go Back To Dalston," the quartet took to the stage earlier than expected and doled out an energetic set lasting nearly an hour. Arrogant front-man Johnny Borrell knows what he has to do onstage to get applause; he was barely still throughout the entire set, constantly wandering around with and without his guitar in tow. For "Which Way Is Out," he exited the stage and climbed the hidden stairwell to a balcony, which he sat and dangled his feet over while singing along with the rest of his band. Comprised of songs from their debut album, Up All Night, the set was tight, raw and vivacious. Borrell's deep, rough voice carried well through performances of "Golden Touch," "Stumble And Fall" and the title track. However, his pretence during "In The City" was grating, as he broke into a weak anecdote about a girl on his bus route that sounded like he was trying a little too hard to become a romantic poet. His showmanship did play well though, preaching the word "love" during "Vice" and in the set closer "To The Sea," where he tore off his shirt and made his way through the audience. Overall, Razorlight made a great first impression with this introductory gig, proving they're a strong live act with a charismatic singer. Maybe next time they could explain why they had the coat rack onstage though, because it was very distracting.