Glass Animals, ICA, London, gig review: ‘Exuding a contagious enthusiasm’

The band are out to impress, and impress they certainly did

Glass Animals playing in London (Rex)

Having played over 130 shows in 2015 alone, you would think Glass Animals were justified in taking a break. Yet, the Oxford quartet are already back on the circuit, embarking on a summer tour chock-a-block with festival slots, followed by US and UK dates.

Fortunately, there’s no sign of being tired. During their set at the Institute of Contemporary Music, close enough to Buckingham Palace the Queen may very well be listening in, singer Dave Bayley leaps around the stage, overtly enjoying throwing his body at his fellow band members while an adoring crowd watches on.

For the first few songs, including first album highlight “Hazey", all four members are entirely engaging, hurriedly moving through songs with a contagious enthusiasm. Unsurprisingly, the extended rendition of “Gooey” goes down a storm with the already sweaty crowd, the heavy bass echoing through each person’s body. Meanwhile, the tribal drums of latest single “Life Itself” resonate around the dimly lit room, marking a welcome addition to the setlist.

Things mellow for a second as they play numbers from their upcoming record, How to be a Human Being, the second of which, built around a colourful backbeat, could easily fit on Chance the Rapper’s latest mixtape. Another highlight comes just after "Cocoa Hooves", the new song sounding less hip-hop and more all-out indie anthem.

Of course, between the new songs, the band plough through a scattering of fan favourites, including “Black Mambo” coming “Pools”, while coming back for an encore including their cover of Kanye West’s “Love Lockdown”.

Unfortunately, none can quite hit the set's early peak with “Gooey”, even if one of the new songs does features lyrics about mayonnaise. Still, despite having a worldwide fanbase, Glass Animals are out to impress, and impress they certainly did.