Mazsays : We The Kings @ London Camden Electric Ballroom (15/02/2011)

We The Kings, a pop-punk band born in 2003 of four Floridian High School friends have just experienced their most successful and influential year with the UK and embarked on their biggest UK tour ever, stretching across ten dates throughout February, concluded with the world renowned Electric Ballroom in Camden. Headlining their largest UK venues ever, the pressure on the band to perform better than ever was incredible. Supported by I See Stars, All Forgotten and friends of the band Versa Emerge.

We The Kings materialised, seemingly unnoticed in 2007, with very experimental EPs and with a self-titled debut studio album, but after being showcased on CBS’ the Early Show in New York in May 2008 and they were also featured in Alternative Press magazine, making their once minute fan base outstretch worldwide. After releasing their second studio album Smile Kid in December of 2009, they were hurled into the UK pop-punk scene and now perch comfortably, sharing fans with the likes of You Me At Six and All Time Low. We The Kings’ alluring pop beats and lyrics combined with softer love songs and heavier riffs, they are a welcomed ‘safer’ band for pop-punk fans.

Michigan post-hardcore rockers I See Stars are first to grace the stage, propelling their stylistic mixture of screamo, electronic and rock genres, were a good introduction to the evening, but there was something about their method that didn’t quite click with the audience, perhaps the extensive blend of so many genres or the manner of performance. Having said that, they did manage to keep the audience on their feet and seemingly entertained. All Forgotten, were next to grace the stage, armed with upbeat punk melodies, screamo and hardcore elements and spectacular vocals from frontman Dan Lawrence driving the band firmly into the audience’s good books. With influences from bands such as We Are The Ocean and Lostprophets, it is a wonder All Forgotten are not already signed with a major punk label and playing festivals around the country, but the future is certainly bright for these Surrey bred boys.

Third and final support, Versa Emerge pretty much blue the crowd away with their natural musical elegance and flair. The Floridian threesome opened with the title track from their debut studio album Fixed At Zero, which was released during the summer last year. When asked who had hear of the band before the show, the majority of the crowd gleefully cheered and sung along deafeningly with Fixed At Zero and the tracks that followed. The fact that the band write their own music completely is obvious due to the sincere emotion exposed to the crowd and Versa’s experimental edge give them a leg up on other bands that are not every well known in the UK who attempt to retain a predetermined approach and genre.

However, any pop-punk based band fronted by a woman is bound to draw immense comparisons to the world renowned Paramore, but Versa Emerge’s frontwoman Sierra Kusterbeck has awesome stage presence and unique finesse as a vocalist, and the band’s overall dark style is very attractive in the rock world. Having previously released EPs prior to their debut album, in a similar format to We The Kings, Versa already have something which many bands and artists severely lack; originality and the natural ability for audience curiosity. It is often easy to deduce that support acts may not be particularly good, and usually that presumption would be correct, but in the case of tonight’s show, all three support acts were varied, energetic and gave great performances.

With a simple stage set up of several lights and amps and each band members stood in their regular spot, We The Kings were geared up, in tandem with the throng of fans below them. Beginning with ‘Skyway Avenue’ from their first album, I personally, was happy to realise the set would be a merge of old and new tracks to please all audience members. We The Kings, particularly frontman Travis Clark are senselessly passionate about what they do which rubs off on audiences, making each show they play electrifying. They’re one of those bands that you could easily forget about and throw to the unimportant playlist on your iPod, but you would be wrong to do so! Each time I experience their passion in the flesh, I am astounded by their natural abilities and energy.

‘Skyway Avenue’ illustrates all that We The Kings are about; being young, and being in love, whether for good or bad, which is why they are so appealing to younger music fans who are personally familiar with the ins and outs of teenage relationships. ‘She Takes Me High’ is next to be incorporated into the setlist and truly brings the house down. The production on the original recording is infectiously pop-esque and full of optimism, much like the rest of Smile Kid, which is a welcomed variation from other gloomier bands; the right mix of the two is necessary for any music collection. The song’s repetitive chorus is straightforward enough for the crowd to sing along to, which makes for a cheery and triumphant opening to the show from any perspective.

Surprisingly, ‘What You Do To Me’, also from Smile Kid is next to be played, which is an unexpected incorporation to the set, but makes for fantastic crowd participation with its jaunty, pop-driven chorus and optimism, which is the best constituent of what constructs We The Kings. Travis Clark’s unusually mellow yet motivating stage presence keeps all band members in check throughout the set and keeps the audience interested as the band blare out crowd pleasers such as ‘Stay Young’, ‘All Again For You’, and their most famous track ‘We’ll Be A Dream’, which was a collaboration with Disney star Demi Lovato. This song is beautiful in its simplicity and integrity, especially when performed live without all the excessive production elements.

‘Rain Falls Down’ followed, and considering this was the very first time We The Kings played this track live in London, the reception was remarkable. This song conveys that it is possible to refer to both the good and bad aspects of young relationships, not just skin deep emotion, and still be a successful band. We The Kings are a meek and warm band who constantly refer to other bands and artists who have boosted their careers thus far, including inspirations such as Jimmy Eat World. Their cover of ‘The Middle’ exhibited how the characteristics of each band member shine seamlessly through one another to generate what is We The Kings. This performance, in particular, marked the best We The Kings show I have ever experienced, as it was obvious how comfortable they were on stage.

‘Heaven Can Wait’ and ‘Secret Valentine’ flaunt the bravado and vulnerability that the band portray through their music, and when played live, a moving level of emotion unites with the lively atmosphere from other brisker songs. Travis Clark’s flawless and much improved vocal abilities are now hauntingly supreme, forming a soulful connection with the crowd, ‘I will always be your friend.’ Despite a short set, With ‘Check Yes Juliet’ to wrap up the set, I was left feeling something very rare; content.