Concert Review: Two Door Cinema Club @ O2 Arena, London- 13/12/2013

Two Door Cinema Club have risen to fame the good old-fashioned way, through hard work and innovative music. This is a sell-out gig at London's most famous venue, the 20,000 capacity O2 Arena that the Northern Irish threesome have been aiming for since they formed back in 2011. Two Door Cinema Club released their debut record in 2010', 'Tourist History' followed by 'Beacon', which hit UK and Irish shelves in August 2012 and peaked at number 2 in the UK Album Chart and 1 in Ireland. So it's no surprise that tonight's gig is an emotional milestone for the band and fans alike. It's also clear how grateful the band are for their progress and success in the industry.

Their irresistible sound and tone shoots to a start with one of Two Door Cinema Club's latest single 'Sleep Alone' , which rocks he crowd into submission. It's clear from the off that this night is going to be special for band and audience alike, with smoke, fireworks and confetti for the vert first song. The band have built-up their fan base and venue capacity over the last few years and this concert is a celebration of their achievements and music. Their live experience in terms of musical ability is impeccably rehearsed and tight, proving just how long the three members have known each other and the effect that childhood friendships have on work relationships too.

Lead vocalist Alex Trimble seems to lack enthusiasm to begin with, but his build-up of vigour and energy seems to multiply as the night goes on. All three members of the band have been together since their inception and all play their part with multiple instrument playing, for instance Trimble boasts lead vocals, synths, beats and rhythm guitar.

In terms of the crowd, when second track 'Undercover Martyn' begins, the enthusiasm for an old favourite is overpoweringly clear. Two Door Cinema Club's smart but straightforward use of catchy, radio-friendly rhythms and frantic melodies are embellished with wonderful stage presences from all members. 'Do You Want it All?' is the song that really gets the crowd going, with thousands of people belting out the lyrics in out of tune unison.

The band's mainstream success has been down to high street department store Debenhams August
2012 ad campaign with 'This is the Life' at the forefront. The track is full of all the brash optimism
that makes up the band's sound. What's really astounding to is the sheer diversity of  the. crowd, which is representative of the range of people who listen to Two Door Cinema Club. 

'Changing of the Seasons', which peaked at 33 in the UK Singles Chart showcases the band's electrifying use of electronics and synths in their work, which is performed in the most sleek,
professional manner imaginable. The upbeat yet contemplative track portrays lyrics that'd be at home
in any effective love song. It's soaring synths and heavily Indie hooks carry over to 'Wake Up' and
'Come Back Home', which are so full of euphoria it's astounding. And the pace of the fist-pumping,
bouncing crowd has yet to decline.

Trimble's wholesome yet powerful vocals are surprisingly dominant over the killer melodies and remarkable use of rhythms and back beats. 'Spring' is emotional without being dark, and the slick lasers and lighting. Given that this is the band's biggest show to date, they seem to be taking the
pressure utterly in their stride and using it to enhance their performance. 'Sun', pop-heavy 'I Can Talk'   
and 'Pyramid' prove just how confident the threesome are in their music now, their modest swagger is executed with as much finesse as their overall performance.

With his tranquil yet string vocals, signature red quiff and sparkly black jacket that'd be at home on a bingo caller, Alex Trimble is brimming with glee and confidence. Two Door Cinema Club's very first duet 'The World is Watching' with mediocre vocalist Valentina who fails to add much to the track live or on record. 'Next Year' and 'Something Good Can Work' illustrate a great sense of electric and energetic spirit that seem to charm the crowd into using the last of their energy up. The band keep their bubbly persona through 'Handshake' and the quirkily titled 'Eat That Up It's Good For You'. The songs bring the set to an end by proving how hard the band and their management have work on performance, sound and to please as much as the audience and critics as possible with the variety of tracks old and new.

For the inevitable encore made up of 'Someday', ' Cigarettes in the Theatre' and 'What You Know' is big and bold and everything an encore should be. With the crowd shrieking with delight and the band' s obvious happiness is something you rarely see at concerts. There was a lack of interaction with the crowd but that's not surprise given how many tracks Two Door Cinema Club had to get through. It was a special evening symbolic of the band's hard work, infectious music.

4/5