For the second year running, Dalston Roof Park has opened its doors to a host of summer entertainment. Predominantly a members’ bar (membership is currently free, reducing the exclusivity somewhat), find yourself here on the right night and you can also enjoy live music, film screenings and a barbeque.
On Wednesday, June 22nd, after a rain-filled day, the sun came out and Jessica Larrabee and Andy LaPlant – a.k.a. She Keeps Bees – took to the miniature stage. The band treated a select audience to a mix of songs from 2009 album Nests and the forthcoming Dig On (to be released 18th July). Most of the crowd were seated with only a hemp sack separating them from the rain-drenched Astroturf. Larrabee mumbled a few greetings into the mic before launching, with complete clarity, into a 50-minute set of blues-rock.
LaPlant provides powerful drum rhythms, but the star of the show is Larrabee with her sliding guitar riffs and throaty, emotion-filled voice. The two have been performing together since 2006 and clearly have good onstage rapport. Larrabee occasionally paused between songs to tell the audience about her recent house move and the giant zit on her face; it felt like these anecdotes drew the crowd into the band’s inner circle and heightened the intimacy of the gig. But the banter was never drawn out and would end with Larrabee giggling before beginning the next track with true professionalism. Towards the end of the set, the sun started to set and a flock of birds circled behind the band. This idyllic ending to a highly enjoyable gig meant that no one minded when they stood up to find that the sacks they had sat on were far from waterproof.
Comparisons to the late White Stripes (QRO live review) are inevitable, but She Keeps Bees don’t succumb to long tangents of live guitar solos, instead their songs are short sharp bursts of blues with pounding drums mixed with beautiful vocals. The band play Borderline next month, and if you happen to be in London, it would be a ticket well worth having.
