Heart Swells

A night with Los Campesinos! at The Troxy

Here’s a little context: It’s 2008 and I’ve almost entirely made the transition from emo to indie. I’ve started wearing Fred Perry polo shirts and learning Heart in a Cage by The Strokes on guitar but my eyeliner game is still going strong. Los Campesinos! enter my consciousness alongside bands like Johnny Foreigner, Tube Lord and Dananananaykroyd (I hated the name then and fucking despise it now). My boyfriend at the time (who cheated on my with my best friend) had lyrics from ‘It’s Never That Easy Though Is It’ as his MSN status (the bit about the clavicle) and I genuinely couldn’t fathom what would be more painful, watching him finger my mate or doing it to ‘Love Will Tear Us Apart’ by Joy Division.

Fast forward 16 years, Los Campesinos! release All Hell, which achieves 'Best New Music’ on Pitchfork and coincidentally features artwork with an uncanny resemblance to my own band’s recently-released album. I dive headfirst into what will easily become my most played album of 2024. Enraptured by a wave of nostalgia, I’m comforted by the knowledge that I’ll never have to live those teenage years again. I blast ‘Feast of Tongues’ in my car as I zoom through South London and am thankful that such a formative band for me are vocal in their distain for the state (and those that seem to worship it).

When I’m asked to do a little email interview for Hard of Hearing magazine, one of the questions is ‘What was your favourite album of the year?’. The answer was easy. And whilst there were dozens, probably hundreds of excellent LPs released that year, there was only one that invoked such a pure, emotional reaction.

We get an email from Los Campesinos! agent asking us to support them at The Troxy on Valentine’s Day, noting that the band had read the interview and really wanted us to play. Without sounding like too much of a dick, we’ve played bigger shows and the fee isn’t huge (very decent for support though I should add), but again, the answer was easy. The rest of the goats were supportive of my teenage fantasy and we confirm the show. Happy Valentine’s Day to me.

We’ve supported a lot of bands, no really a LOT, and they’ve mostly been FINE. Gareth was the first to send us a message ahead of the show. He acknowledged the similarities in the artwork (which we’d been making jokes about for a while) and was unbelievably sweet and complimentary. I’m writing this here because that’s never happened before, and isn’t this what it’s meant to be about - this whole music thing? Aren’t we all just struggling through it for the love of art? For connection? For wanting to feel something?

We rock up to soundcheck, LC are in full flow with the addition of a string and horns section. I’m already getting emosh and Gareth stops the soundcheck to come and greet us (another first by the way). We feel loved, welcomed and set up for what’s bound to be a special show (and it really didn’t take that much).

We chat more in the dressing room and it doesn’t feel forced. We’re gabbing for ages before realising we’re on in less than 5.

We walk out to a supportive crowd - a mixture of emos young and old, and a couple of 6 music dads at the back. They are warm and respectful and take it upon themselves to clap along without prompting. Smiles break through our concentrating faces and we leave the stage feeling seen for once.

LC have a treat in store - the entirety of All Hell and an encore of not 1, not 2, but 12 old ones. There’s probably very few bands with an audience dedicated enough to stand through a 2 hour set but LC are one of them. Each cutting line is sung back with unencumbered joy and I feel safe surrounded by people who were also probably beaten up at school.

Gareth gives us a lengthy shout out, explaining one of the best things about being “an artist” is when other artists admire what you do and you get to support each other. He gives me a cheeky name drop and 14 y/o lights up inside. Tears well and they play ‘The Sea Is a Good Place to Think of the Future’ - the tune that me and Toby have been waiting for all night. We hug and squeal and shout the words with conviction, cathartically releasing a load of teenage angst that feels even better when you’re over 30.

They finish on ‘You! Me! Dancing!’ - a silly and uplifting tune that feels out of place on any self-respecting emo’s playlist, but it’s exactly this lightheartedness that makes for such a special night. It’s a celebratory ending to an evening full of love and validation and it’s one I’ll always be grateful for.

Long live Los Camp!