Tonight is the second ever time Charly Bliss have played a show abroad. Though, taking to a very sold out Old Blue Last, there’s no fear or surprise. They’re used to alien environments. They know they won’t be strangers after tonight. See, Charly Bliss have spent the days, weeks and months since they released ‘Guppy’ crashing headfirst into peoples lives, stealing hearts and occupying minds with an unrelenting ease. They’re the sort of band who have a song celebrating their therapist, who roll their eyes and poke fun while telling stories of broken hearts and who know the meaning of joy. It’s all done with an unflinching purity and an infectious excitement.
From the screaming pour of ‘Percolator’, tonight’s show takes their “I think it’s cool I’m in touch with my feelings,” and passes it around. ‘Westermarck’ struggles to let go, ‘Scare U’ is “about how much I suck and am incapable of casual relationships”, while ‘Glitter’, all pointed barbs and sunshine escape, picks through the debris of a relationship. Throughout the jealousy, the confusion and the fear, the band are self-deprecating but find the strength in their flaws. Giddy with companionship, they rage, giggle and yell. Finding a comfort with each other, their sweet and sour pop songs fizz and explode with a fearless confidence. There’s colour in the grunge, glitter in the dark.
‘Guppy’ might have been years in the making but tonight Charly Bliss air two new songs, perhaps making up for lost time or spurred on by their debuts heartfelt embrace, Already fully formed and dancing under their beaming influence, the tracks hurtle down the rainbow road, glistening and electric but carrying a secret weight. Of course they’re brilliant.
Tonight might be their first time in London but by the time the one-song encore cover of Len’s ‘Steal My Sunshine’ rings out, Charly Bliss feel like old friends. Secrets are shared, crisis’ are averted and there’s a spirited togetherness in knowing that you’re not the only one with these feelings.