Music
Review
Divorce at Islington Assembly Hall, 23/10/24
Nottingham’s finest bring their country inflected alt-rock to Islington Assembly Hall for their biggest headline show to date
“This is crazy!”, Felix Mackenzie-Barrow tells us; the look on his face confirms it. Tiger Cohen-Towell, with whom Mackenzie-Barrow shares lead vocal duties, has just jettisoned a blazer jacket as quickly as it appeared. They’re both sweating and grinning. It’s the sort of scene you’d expect at the end of the night. We’re only one song in.
Opening with ‘Gears’ set us up for rapturous applause, and the subsequent disbelief on the band’s faces. This was their biggest headline show to date, and it was clear that, from their point of view at least, it didn’t disappoint. The reception of the crowd suggested the same. ‘Birds’, another fan favourite, soon followed and calmed us all down (slightly). This was the last night of a month-long headline tour, starting with a four-day residency in their native Nottingham. Not that you could tell. Divorce, and their brand of alt-rock via country, don’t lack for excitement or energy.
And with a debut album set for release in the new year, there was reason to be excited. New material was showcased throughout and fitted seamlessly amongst that of the band’s previous EP’s. The crowd, though still enthusiastic, quietened; taking in these glimpses of what was to come. The exception being lead single ‘All My Freaks’ which despite only being released at the start of this tour, proved to be something of a party-starter, at least among the Divorce faithful. And Islington Assembly Hall is a pretty good place for a party, with a grandeur that makes it feel bigger than its near-900 capacity. It was sold out, too – so much for any prior tempered expectations from either band or audience.
It wasn’t all excitement, all the time, however. Tracks such as ‘My Room’ and ‘Heaven is a Long Way’ provided moments of vulnerability and introspection, showcasing some of the truly beautiful song writing and impressive harmonies that may otherwise get lost in the intensity. It also provided us all with a bit of a breather, although Divorce kept us hooked through the quiet, just as much as we were through the loud. It was a reminder that this is a band who are fully in control, be it wistful or joyful.
But it is at their most vibrant where Divorce really come into their own, with an on-stage swagger and confidence that is hard not to fall for. After the introspection, we were treated to what Cohen-Towell called “the country section”. It proved to be the highlight of the night, containing both ‘Eat My Words’ and ‘Checking Out’, arguably their best songs, and in the process turning an enthusiastic crowd into a euphoric one. It would have been the perfect high point on which to end any set, but the crowd weren’t done yet, clamouring for an encore. The band duly provided it, returning for a couple more songs. ‘That Hill’ came with an anecdote about a music video filmed on a ring doorbell (I think its safe to say those days are behind them), before closing out with ‘Services’ and the words “that’s where my miracle ends”. It was, unfortunately, where our miracle had to end. It could’ve gone on much longer, but unfortunately curfews and sound regulations had to be abided by, and we had to shuffle back out into the north London cold.
But as the nights are getting longer, the days colder, and the weather worse, Divorce provided the best reminder of the joys of live music. Because if you can escape from it all and have that much fun for a couple of hours, surrounded by 900 other likeminded people, why care what’s going on outside?
