LIVE : WOLF ALICE + CROWS - CONVERSE RUBBER TRACKS LIVE SHOW

We were recently fortunate enough to make it down to the Boogaloo in Highgate, North London, for the very first Converse Rubber Tracks Live event, which featured Wolf Alice and Crows. Before we get onto the gig, here's some spiel about what this exciting venture is all about.

"Born out of the brand’s desire to give back to the global music community and provide opportunities to artists who may not have the means to afford studio time or the exposure of performing in front of live audiences, the Converse Rubber Tracks programme began as a brick and mortar studio in Brooklyn, New York. Since the flagship studio opened in July 2011, over 1,000 emerging artists have had the opportunity to record original music alongside the Converse Rubber Tracks team of experienced engineers at no cost.

Over the past three years, Converse Rubber Tracks has since evolved globally with short-term pop-up studios in key music cities such as Austin, Los Angeles, Montreal, Amsterdam, Mexico City, Johannesburg, Bangkok, Moscow, São Paulo and Shanghai. The first of its kind to hit the capital, Converse Rubber Tracks London will take up residency on a rotating basis – one London Borough at a time. After Haringey, the series will then make its way to Ealing, Southwark and Tower Hamlets throughout 2015."

The first recording sessions for Converse Rubber Tracks London took place in Haringey at Snap Studios, where 10 local bands were given the opportunity to record. One of which, Crows, were hand picked by Wolf Alice to play the first ever Converse Rubber Tracks Live show at the Boogaloo.

Photographer : Andy Ford

Crows took to the stage in a defiant mood, launching into 'Silver Tongues' with a ferocity that has consistently surrounded their live shows since their early beginnings in 2012. Singer James Cox has a certain intensity, which you can hear in his voice and importantly see in his eyes.

The band treat us to an engaging 7 tracks, including 'Hornsey', 'Crawling', and new single 'Pray', which is out next month through Brace Yourself as a limited edition transparent 7" vinyl.

North London locals Wolf Alice were in joyous spirits, not surprising really given that minutes before taking to the stage the headliners had announced that their debut album 'My Love Is Cool' would be released through Dirty Hit Records on June 22nd.

Photographer : Andy Ford

Considering we first covered the band back in 2012 with a review of their self titled EP, it's safe to say we at Music Liberation are pretty proud of their achievements to date and are very much looking forward to hearing them on a full record.

As for the gig itself a packed out Boogaloo were treated to songs taken from said album, including the first single from the record 'Giant Peach', as well as a couple of older tracks such as 'Moaning Lisa Smile' and 'Fluffy'.

It's clear during the show Ellie Rowsell and the rest of the band (Joel, Joff and Theo) are fully intent on not only seizing their moment and recognising the importance of that, but also making darn sure they're having as much fun as possible at the same time.

Converse Rubber Tracks // Wolf Alice // Crows // Boogaloo