The Temper Trap Live Review

The Temper Trap Live at HMV Institute, Birmingham

Touring with a set list full of unreleased material has never been a strategy that can guarantee rewarding results- but Australia’s The Temper Trap has never been a band to shy away from these kinds of risks. In a long shot, it seems to be the band’s motive in finally moving forward from their unbinding label that has lingered around extensively as the ‘Sweet Disposition’ band.

Yet, as their sell out show at the HMV Institute begins to fill with excited fans, it becomes lamentably clear that the highlight of their night will be the band’s long-tail single that has graced TV entertainment since 2009.

Blood red strobe lights swamp the venue as ‘Repeater’ begins averagely. ‘Need Your Love’ also fails to glitch the crowd’s enthusiasm. Third song in and fans are finally able to take pleasure in a song they are familiar with, gleefully clapping in sync to Dougy Mandagi’s fist clenching and heart wrenching sincere vocals to ‘Love Lost’.

Tactically placed older material conjoined with the band’s enchanting and effortless charm kept the set flowing.  Though the new album seems promising, the goofy grins that were triggered by the gig’s final song marking the band’s sweetest days, is yet to be outshined, proving that perhaps their ambling pegged name isn’t such a daunting affair after all.