The Joy Formidable @ El Rey Theatre, Los Angeles, 09/14/11

Gracing Los Angeles' El Rey Theatre, The Joy Formidable hit the stage, and in little time showed that their current buzz is something worth actually paying attention to. Formed in North Wales and later settling in London, the members (as well as touring lineup) consist of: Ritzy Bryan on Vocals/Guitar, Rhydian Dafydd on Bass, and Matt Thomas on Drums. The trio opened the night with "A Heavy Abacus" from their sophomore & latest album "The Big Roar." They played a good selection from it, as well as touched on songs from their first release "A Balloon Called Moaning." Having an interesting mix of vibes, their sound filled the evening air with thick chords, primal drum-beats and celestial vocals.

Sounding vocally like a cross between 'Yeah Yeah Yeahs' & 'Garbage', and instrumentation-wise between 'Foo Fighters' and 'Arcade Fire', the band wove in and out of their long but entrancing set, from the 'Cranes' like vocal chanting on "Austere", to the poppy but chaotic (and apropos titled) sounds of "Whirring."

Only recently being turned on to The Joy Formidable in the last few months, I wasn't sure what to expect from the concert. Not to sound too sold on them, but in short: their performance was pretty damn impressive. Song after song, their compositions, stage presence, and confidence were that of a far more established band. By the end of the evening, the trio went on to impress a sold-out El Rey Theatre, as well as myself.

I would highly recommend seeing them live, as well as picking up their latest album "The Big Roar." You won't regret it....

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Clovis IV: Photos & Review
www.clovis-iv.com

SET-LIST: El Rey Theatre, Los Angeles
A Heavy Abacus
Greyhounds In The Slips
Austere
The Greatest Light Is The Greatest Shade
Cradle
Buoy
Whirring
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The Magnifying Glass
I Don't Want To See You Like This





TOUR SCHEDULE

SEPTEMBER
09/07 Vancouver, BC @Rickshaw Theatre
09/08 Portland, OR @ Music Fest NW
09/10 Sacramento, CA @ Harlow's
09/11 Costa Mesa, CA @ Detroit Bar
09/13 Santa Barbara, CA @ Soho Lounge
09/14 Los Angeles, CA @ El Rey Theater
09/15 Las Vegas, NV @Cosmo Boulevard Pool
09/17 Las Vegas, NV @ Cosmo Boulevard Pool
09/19 Co. Springs, CO @ Black Sheep
09/21 St Louis, MO @ Firebird
09/22 Cincinnati, OH @ Mid Point Music Fest
09/23 Philadelphia, PA @ Popped Festival!
09/24 Atlanta, GA @ Music Midtown
09/25 Tampa, FL @Orpheum
09/27 Columbia, SC @ New Brookland Tavern
09/28 Carrboro, NC @ Cat's Cradle
09/29 Columbus, OH @ Newport Music Hall
09/30 Rochester, NY @Water Street Music Hall

OCTOBER
10/13 Birmingham Institute
10/14 London Forum
10/15 Manchester Academy 2
10/16 Dublin Whelans
10/18 Belfast Limelight
10/19 Glasgow Oran Mor
10/20 Newcastle Riversid
10/21 Cardiff Swn festival
10/24 Paris Nouveau Casino
10/25 Brussels Botanique Orangerie
10/26 Tilbourg 013
10/29 London Battersea Power Station - Freeze Festival

NOVEMBER
11/05 Austin, TX @ Fun Fun Fun Fest
11/07 Duluth, GA @ Gwinett Arena
11/08 Charlotte, NC @ Time Warner Cable Arena
11/10 Philadelphia, PA @ Wells Fargo Center
11/11 Washington, DC @ Verizon Center
11/13 New York, NY @ Madison Square Garden
11/14 Newark, NJ @ Prudential Center
11/16 Boston, MA @ TD Garden