ACCIOMIXTAPE: GIG REVIEW: Hudson Taylor - Dingwalls, Camden, 11th July

For fans of: Jake Bugg; Ben Howard; Lewis Watson; Michael Kiwanuka; Crosby, Stills & Nash

Last Thursday (11 July), Hudson Taylor finally played their long-overdue, rescheduled gig at Dingwalls, Camden to an ecstatic sold-out crowd. Having recently supported teen rock sensation Jake Bugg on the most recent leg of his UK tour, and opening for none other than music legends The Rolling Stones at Hyde Park last Saturday (13 July), it's no wonder that their infectious sound is getting mass amounts of attention.

I was absolutely gutted to discover that the day I had tickets to see Jake Bugg, was the day after Hudson Taylor were to end their time as support so I just had to get tickets for their next London gig. They have been one of my favourite bands for a year or so now, and I was mega excited to finally see them live. And they certainly did not disappoint.

The Dublin born, charismatic duo of brothers, whose name derives from their doubled barrelled surname, electrified the audience by opening the anticipated set with their high-spirited, foot stomping song 'Drop In The Ocean' (free download).

The Irish folk-rock sensations, whose debut EP 'Battles' reached #14 on the UK iTunes chart, were accompanied by a three piece band and continued to thrill the audience with energy-filled anthems like 'Watchtower'; pumped with big percussion beats, lively guitars, and the impressive use of string instruments. They also played heartfelt ballads like 'Beautiful Mistake' unaccompanied, which captivated and enchanted the crowd.

Harry and Alfie Hudson-Taylor were genuinely humbled and surprised with the audience's incredible reaction; who sang every lyric to the songs they knew and listened tentatively to the songs they didn't.

Highlights of the set included breezy ballads like 'World Without You' and 'Butterflies' as well as dynamic hits from their first EP like 'Battles' and 'Drop Of Smoke' before reappearing onstage for an encore with a cover of Simon and Garfunkel's classic 'Mrs Robinson'.

Alfie having a whale of a time

Harry and Alfie proved to be just as nice offstage as they appeared to be onstage, taking time to chat to and thank every fan who had come to see them. My sister managed to snag a copy of their set list which they happily signed for both of us.