It’s a pity that so many cleared out after support act Meet Me In Vegas and didn’t stick around for DEFEND MOSCOW, because they were actually pretty good.
No, they’re not the Forward Russia tribute act that their name brought to mind, but a 5-piece pop act from London. Jon and Sofie present a male / female dual vocal that’s pure Eurovision. But they’re no Gemini, and despite perhaps being a little over the top and corny in the arms outstretched toward the audience / in the air poses that are supposed to say ‘sincerity,’ they’re together, melodic, and, I have to admit, good fun.
I can’t help but wonder if taking an act this pop on the road round ‘regular’ venues is really the right route. But then, with the music industry as it is now, I daresay that having a major label spend all your money on a video and TV advert for the debut single before dropping you halfway into recording the first album isn’t exactly an appealing prospect. So credit where it’s due: Defend Moscow are taking their music to the masses, and while it may not be dazzlingly innovative, it is well executed.
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Tonight’s set is short – just seven songs – but effective, with ‘Something Good’ leaning heavily on Orange Juice’s ‘Rip it Up’ and single ‘Manifesto’ being an obvious standout and making for a show that’s upbeat and enjoyable. Are they the next big thing, as has been suggested in some quarters? I wouldn’t rule it out. After all, what goes around comes around, and we’re probably due an(other) 80s revival about now.
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