Throw Me The Statue’s debut was a fun slice of lo-fi indie pop emanating from frontman Scott Reitherman’s bedroom. But band name or no, it sounds like a solo effort assembled with laptop and drum machine.

The obvious question posed by this live date, then, was how successfully could TMTS translate into a real band playing to a real audience?

But first, supporting TMTS at the Luminaire were Wye Oak, whose thick, lustrous guitar and gorgeous vocals had a shoegazing tinge that flowed into quiet/loud dynamics with happy assurance. A good thing.

The kinetic, snappy percussion was certainly retained for TMTS’ s London debut - Reitherman having a couple of drums in front of him to complement the kit being given a fine workout behind him. The four-piece raced through their set, barely even stopping to make the obligatory call of support for Obama.

Working up a fine sweat, and seeming in very good cheer, they put to bed any fears of a limp transition to the stage, but suffered from letting the vocals slide under the weight of enthusiasm. They were there, and intact, but this was a set for energy rather than harmonies. You could do far, far worse.

Richard Davie
photo: Rachel Lipsitz