Live: The New Pornographers @ The Empire.

by | Dec 6, 2014

Canadian band The New Pornographers play live in London at The Empire, Shepherds Bush. (Rachel Lipsitz/Rockshot)

Canadian band The New Pornographers play live in London at The Empire, Shepherds Bush. (Rachel Lipsitz)

A lot of bands could take a cue from The New Pornographers regarding style over substance. At their recent show at Shepherd’s Bush Empire, we see the Canadians showcase their talents with a minimum of fuss. Sprinkling old favourites The Laws Have Changed, Testament to Youth In Verse, Myriad Harbour amongst some of the new tracks off Brill Bruisers -– some of their best to date, New Pornographers are always capable crowd pleasers.

Canadian band The New Pornographers play live in London at The Empire, Shepherds Bush. (Rachel Lipsitz/Rockshot)

Canadian band The New Pornographers play live in London at The Empire, Shepherds Bush. (Rachel Lipsitz)

The jauntiness of these extremely dense tracks are always fun to hear live. Kathryn Calder‘s voice is strong enough in its own right, so much so it’s jarring to hear her parts sung by Neko Case on the album. Dan Bejar makes a rare live appearance with the band tonight (leaving the stage for every song he doesn’t sing or play on) and they make the most of it.

 (Rachel Lipsitz)

(Rachel Lipsitz)

Seeing New Pornographers live reminds us how much detail is in their unique brand of 60’s-esque pop and why they’re finally getting the audience they deserve at a larger venue like Shepherd’s Bush Empire.

[photoshelter-gallery g_id=”G0000JeDx2jnTlaM” g_name=”New-Pornographers” f_show_caption=”t” f_show_slidenum=”t” img_title=”casc” pho_credit=”iptc” f_link=”t” f_enable_embed_btn=”t” f_send_to_friend_btn=”t” f_fullscreen=”t” f_show_watermark=”t” f_htmllinks=”t” f_mtrx=”t” fsvis=”f” width=”600″ height=”450″ f_constrain=”t” bgcolor=”#ffffff” bgtrans=”t” btype=”new” bcolor=”#CCCCCC” crop=”f” twoup=”t” trans=”flip” tbs=”4000″ f_ap=”t” linkdest=”c” f_topbar=”f” f_bbar=”f” f_bbarbig=”” f_smooth=”f” f_up=”f” target=”_self” ]

Live Review and Photos by Rachel Lipsitz. Rachel has her own website here:http://www.littletrousers.com/

Rachel has also taken some great band portraits that will appear in The New Pornographers interview that Craig Scott from Rockshot has just completed.

 

Honey I'm Home (Hannah Bruynzeel)

Honey I’m Home Return With New Single ‘Pretty’ Ahead Of SXSW And EU Tour Dates

Dutch alt-rock risers Honey I’m Home have shared their latest single Pretty, a buoyant yet cutting return that sharpens the band’s instinct for blending shimmering textures with emotional candour.

Kira Lise (Megan Chan)

Kira Lise Turns Anxiety Into Power On New Single ‘Ignorance Is Bliss’

Nashville-based indie alternative artist Kira Lise has released her first single of 2026, Ignorance Is Bliss, a strikingly candid track born from a period of intense anxiety and emotional reckoning.

A Place To Bury Strangers (Heather Bickford)

A Place To Bury Strangers Announce ‘Rare And Deadly’, A Decade-Spanning Archive Of Chaos

New York noise-rock mainstays A Place To Bury Strangers have announced a new rarities collection titled Rare And Deadly, set for release on 3rd April 3rd. To mark the news, the band have unveiled lead single Everyone’s The Same, offering a first glimpse into a project that dives deep into the group’s most unguarded and volatile moments.

Mika @ Wembley Arena (Neil Lupin)

MIKA Brings Glitter, Gears And Glory To Wembley Arena

Twenty years into a career built on falsetto acrobatics and fearless theatricality, MIKA doesn’t so much play Wembley Arena as conquer it. From the rafters to the balconies, this is pop as grand spectacle — maximalist, joyful and gloriously unhinged.

Ella Langley (Caylee Robillard)

Ella Langley Turns Inward On Reflective New Single ‘Be Her’ Ahead Of Dandelion Release

Multi-platinum country star Ella Langley has released her brand new single Be Her, a candid and introspective anthem that offers a glimpse into the emotional core of her forthcoming sophomore album Dandelion, due for release on 10th April.

John Blaylock (Press)

John Blaylock Shares Heartfelt New Single ‘Violets’ Ahead Of Debut Album Release

Manchester singer-songwriter John Blaylock continues the build-up to his debut solo album Sounds Of The Dreadnought with the release of his new single, Violets, out now.

Mae Stephens (Piotr Rulka)

Mae Stephens Swaps Sass For Sultry On New Single ‘Blue’ Ahead Of UK Headline Tour

Mae Stephens is stepping into a new sonic chapter with the release of her latest single Blue, a track that reveals a more restrained and soulful edge to the UK pop powerhouse ahead of her debut headline tour next month.

Swervedriver (Steve Gullick)

Swervedriver To Celebrate 35 Years Of ‘Raise’ With Special London Show

UK psychedelic rock trailblazers Swervedriver are set to mark the 35th anniversary of their seminal debut album Raise with a special one-off London performance this autumn.

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This

Share Thing