LANY, O2 Institute, Birmingham - review

Forming back in 2014, LANY are a three piece alternative rock band from Los Angeles leaning more towards the dream pop and electro sides of the genre. Following a series of successful EPs the band were signed to Polydor Records, rising to prominence with the aid of social media and streaming services.

By the time that the three piece took to the stage, backed by minimal lighting, the room was packed to the rafters with fans eager to see the band on such a small stage. Following support tours with Ellie Goulding and John Mayer, the band obviously have a taste for the big arenas as is highlighted in their sophisticated lighting show and crowd pleasing laid back pop songs. Tracks such as ILYSMB and Where The Hell Are My Friends were met with loud applause and complemented with less familiar newer cuts from their upcoming record.

Vocalist Paul Klein remained quiet in-between songs adding to the strong aesthetic of the show that included the crowd holding flowers and lyric adorned banners. In terms of lighting the show grew from a minimal monochrome filter to a barrage of bright colours by the end of the evening. Complemented by drummer Jake Goss and multi instrumentalist Les Priest, the group produced relaxed yet engaging interpretations of their recordings.

For some artists the potential leaks out of them and this is most certainly the case for LANY. Their ambitions are clearly bigger than a small Birmingham room on a drizzly Monday night and that makes it all the more exciting.

By Dan Earl