O2 Academy Islington

I really don't know how to write this review - mostly because I'm confused about what I'm reviewing.


The story is that, like a bunch of other people with tight wallets and too much time on the internet, I won two tickets from Time Out to go and see a gig at the Carling Academy in Islington.


The venue itself is OK. I love live music, I don't mind Carling and Islington is quite local so the place has a few good things going for it.


Inside was very dark, but this created a good buzz for an early starting gig. It's relatively small, so the experience with the band is pretty intimate. There are hardly any seats either so the experience is very much about standing and dancing.


The prices were a bit steep - 3.50 for a pint - but the tickets were free so that's not too bad I guess.


The first two bands were OK. Sort of garage bands of the type you get at the Dublin Castle in Camden.


The main act though was a band called Plastic Little - a hip hop outfit from Philadelphia.


The difference in quality between them and the other acts was very stark. Like having your auntie who plays the piano a bit opening for AC/DC!


Plastic Little were great. Really great - even if you are not that into hip hop - they put on a very entertaining show.


The funny thing was the audience. Here was this uber cool international band - who's demographic I imagine would be young, quite likey black, or hispanic - certainly very trendy and hip hop savvy - yet they were playing to a bunch of white 30 somethings, mostly male - who looked like they had learnt to dance via a free internet course (I don't exlude myself from this description)


Anyway it was a top night - especially for midweek.


So the venue is OK. Time out free tickets are worth chasing, and if you get a chance - see Plastic Little.