Friendly Fires get the party spirit on board

I first heard Friendly Fires in late 2007, later seeing them live supporting Interpol, and ever since I can't remember a day where I haven't listened to one of their songs.

Since then it has been a crazy 18 months for the band, seeing the band tour across the world, including the infamous NME Awards Tour in early 2009, and be subject to praise from many sections of the press and music industry.

Hailing from one of the most rock n roll towns in the country, St. Albans, Friendly Fires offer something different to what's out there at the moment, with their songs, in my opinion, creating a mix between shoe-gaze, indie-electro and pop, with samba rhythms, if I had to put a label on them anyway.

Every time I've seen the band, I've always been impressed, and their set on the Other Stage was no exception, and each time I have witnessed them they've changed their set, improving it at the same time.

The first time I witnessed them, they came on played their songs and had a bit of dance, but now they're putting on a full live show. They've transformed their set into an all in one dance set, with songs linking in well together, much like Hot Chip now do with their live performances, and the at the end of their song 'Lovesick', and at the end of the set, the stage turns into a scene from a Brazilian street party, with percussion and samba rhythms the order of the day.

Their impressive live show takes you away from the fact they only have one album, but it's one of the best albums of the past 12 months, with 'On Board', 'Skeleton Boy' and 'Paris', one of the best pop songs around at the moment, all showing what a talented band they are.

All were present in their set and as the lead singer, Ed Macfarlane, twisted his hips and sang "One day we'll live in Paris..." I really did get a shiver down my spine, and as the band ended their set with their samba party, it was clear to me that this band could be big, if they get that all important second record right. But for the time being, it's clear to me they're enjoying what they're doing, and with a large crowd at the Other Stage, it's also clear that many others share my sentiments. They're a perfect party band, and they certainly brought they party to the Friday night.

Unfortuantley, sound levels were once again an issue, but nobody seemed to mind; the sun was out and the dancing was in full swing, Glastonbury had certainly got away by that point.

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