The Indigo2. Definitely Cooler

ukevents · Joined: 15 Dec 2003 Posts: 1941

The Indigo2. Definitely Cooler.

Jay Morey

02 saved the Millennium dome from a fleet of bulldozers and turned it into an impressive musical arena. Dominating the Greenwich Peninsula, the O2 once again breathes new life into the dull grey Thames riverbank. Chocked around the main stage area are pricey yet classy bars, cafes and restaurants, a cinema, and at the moment at least, a display of signed guitars, ranging from Editors to Marianne Faithful. But for me, most impressive was the fact they also managed to jam in an intimate yet wholly atmospheric smaller venue / nightclub, IndigO2.

I won tickets to the AOL Summer Cooler through an online competition. The bill read as follows. Tiny Dancers, The Thrills, The Magic Numbers and Crowded House. The Venue itself is like a souped up Shepherds Bush Empire. Sparkly black tiles for the curved and large bar area, Meccano style paved walls, a gorgeous wooden floor for the main stage standing area, giant plasma screens above the stage itself and many clean and stylish toilets. The standing areas are generous, although mind out for the speakers. Anywhere within five feet you’ll need a couple of earplugs.

Tiny Dancers begun, and played a few happy and polished tunes to the filling crowd. As good as they did sound, I couldn’t shake the idea the frontman was actually Donny Tourette. The Thrills followed, an Irish band that could just never throw themselves fully into greatness. They’re back with a new album and obliged by playing a few newies and some classics, like Whatever Happened To Corey Haim. A fabulous voice and a practiced performance seemed to be a running theme for the bands.

Siobhan Donaghy played in the backstage area and it was broadcast on the big screens to polite yet indifferent applause. A bland collection of songs that won’t do much to trouble the likes of Amy Winehouse and KT Tunstall bored me.

After a short delay the always-dependable Magic Numbers roused the crowd. They played only their upbeat tunes, Take A Chance, Forever Lost and ended with Love Me Like You. People danced and sung along and gave the band a great cheer as they left, but the main event was those antipodean legends, Crowded House. And as polished and as talented as the nights previous undoubtedly were, the band led so effortlessly by Neil Finn showed them there is still much to learn. Good crowd banter, what appeared to be a genuine glee to be there, a burning to still play their old songs as passionately and resonantly as they played their new tracks and a finesse that only accompanies those who have conquered the world.

The Indigo2 can host small bands, but can house the established just as easily. Small but perfectly formed, it has great acoustics, a clean and well-maintained atmosphere and modern technology packed into the corners and rafters. There was space for revellers, bands, cameramen and photographers, and not one pint spilled. A healthy addition to London’s music scene.