I stumbled across Australian outfit Teenagersintokyo a few months ago and took quite a shine to their single, 'Peter Pan'. So, when I heard they were playing No Disko at Dublin's Crawdaddy, I figured I might as well head along and investigate further.I managed to catch the tail-end of support act Spies' set and, having been majorly impressed by what I saw of the Dublin-based five-piece, was left cursing my tardiness.
As seems to be customary at No Disko, the headline act swiftly took to the stage after Spies and began setting up their own equipment. Half an hour later they return and launch into the title track from their new album, 'Sacrifice'.
A sparse slow-burning number, imbued with a slight sense of forboding, it serves as an adequate introduction to the considerable vocal talent frontwoman Samantha Lim. Dresssed in a string top what my limited fashion-related lexicon can only describe as a leather hula skirt, Lim immediately commands the moderate-sized crowd's attention as she prowls the stage and pouts theatrically.
The band then up the pace, playing their two most recognisable tunes 'Peter Pan' and 'End It Tonight' before a spiky cover of Halle and Oates' 'Maneater'. Delivering an intoxicating combination of serrated guitar riffs and murky synths, while Lim alternating between seductive purring and riot grrrl howls, it's soon apparent that Teenagersintokyo are a cut above the dearth of posturing indie outfits trying to catch a break.
From here on in, it's plain sailing as the crowd, presumably largely unfamiliar with the material, lap it up. After a relatively short set, the band bid us goodnight but, moments later, they return to the stage in response to repeated calls for 'one more choon'.
I've recently seen old favourites Marina & the Diamonds and Florence & the Machine play Dublin dates and, although I acknowledge that both acts delivered the slickest performances I've seen from them to date, I couldn't help but mourn the slightly rough-around-the edges quality and humble appreciation of the crowd reaction I'd seen from these artists in their earlier gigs.
Teenagersintokyo may follow the same trajectory but, for now, they're at that point in their evolution where they haven't quite of just how good they are and appreciate the whoops and applause that bit more than those artists who've 'made it', which is lovely to behold.
"This is our first ever encore..." Lim tells us, barely containing her glee. First, maybe, but certainly not the last.
Teenagersintokyo - End It Tonight
Teenagersintokyo - End It Tonight (Radiant Dragon Remix)
Teenagersintokyo - Peter Pan (The Horrors' Remix)
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