Sandwiched on a stacked bill of concerts at the Royal Albert Hall, all put on to aid the Teenage Cancer Trust, between huge legacy artists such as Noel Gallagher, The Who and The Chemical Brothers, Scottish alt-indie-soul trio Young Fathers certainly stand out as arguably the most low-profile act performing across this week of fundraisers. But with a Mercury Prize win and a couple of recent BRIT nominations for Best Band and Best Album under their belts, this is the perfect chance to show they belong in such esteemed company.
Before they can, London indie-soul solo artist Murkage Dave makes light work of warming up the sold-out, historic venue all by himself. There’s the usual polite applause and curious glances as he arrives onstage, but through Dave’s fantastically catchy, self-aware and insightful 2000s R&B-meets-90s indie rock mash-up of tunes like Please Don’t Move to London It’s a Trap, World I Want to Live In and Murkage Dave Saved My Life, plus his sheer force of personality, he leaves like a conquering hero.
