American Football (Charlie Wright / Northern Exposure)
LIVE REVIEW | AMERICAN FOOTBALL | LONDON ROUNDHOUSE 14/09/2024 by Charlie Wright
American Football are an unlikely success. The Illinois trio silently released their debut record in 1999 before going on hiatus. They didn’t think much of it. Little did they know that their sincere take on teenage life woven together through intricate riffs and intriguing instrumentation would become an iconic cult favourite. 25 years later, they’re more relevant than ever. To celebrate the first major milestone, the band, now four musicians, returned to London for a special evening at Roundhouse.
The room is moody, dim-lit and nostalgic. You won’t spot any grand theatrics or bright colourful lights. There’s a screen behind the band, projecting different album-related images, the first of which was the iconic ‘house’ on LP1’s album cover.
Nevertheless, the atmosphere felt timeless, each person ready to embark on a mesmerising experience. And it was just that – mesmerising, spectacular and enchanting. American Football’s music has an uncanny way of keeping people transfixed, hanging on every word and melody. There was no better place to host this trip down memory lane, than Roundhouse.
Playing through the entirety of LP1, the band’s influence on generations new and old was very telling. Some moments welcomed crowd participation and were loud, but the tracks predominantly prompted a deep emotional connection for many in the room. You could feel the loosening of youth slip away, as tracks like The Summer Ends soundtrack another spin around the Earth.
The highlight of LP1, however, is the familiar jangling riffs of Never Meant. Leaving it as the last of the opening segment, the band quipped how it was written on a couch. They also never expected to play it live. This heartfelt nod to the past resulted in cheers, as the tune’s infectious guitar kicked in. The crowd were collectively unified in their efforts to sing back every word. However, a health and safety issue stopped it in its tracks. The song remained unfinished. When the band returned after ten minutes, they dived into some favourites from LP2 and LP3.
Into the second and third segments, newer tracks demonstrated American Football’s ability to build on their unique sound. The nostalgia disappeared and was replaced by fascination. Every person in the room, wearing their merchandise and clinging onto posters and vinyl, stood in awe.
Both of these records are gorgeous in their own right and feel even more emotional when compared to LP1. At points they try a little too hard to recreate the magic of the beginning, sometimes hitting the nail on the head, but other times falling short of the mark. We’ve all heard the challenges artists face after their first record, especially if successful, but to recreate something this special when it became a cult favourite much later would be an impossible challenge.
A highlight came when Mike Kinsella welcomed his partner Justine Fallon to the stage for two tracks; Uncomfortably Numb and Every Wave to Ever Rise. Her soothing voice breathed fresh air into the night and helped elevate the evening.
“I’ve been told I have a stupid face that doesn’t look insincere. But, I’m sincerely grateful to be here” announces Mike. As the cheer dampened, the intricate riffs of Never Meant chimed once more, to a rapturous applause. Nothing is to be left unfinished. The Illinois Rockers ended on a high, capturing the rawness of their music perfectly to a dedicated room of their finest fans.
American Football’s anniversary celebration was unequivocally timeless – a testament to their long-lasting impact on generations to come. LP1 has become cross-generational and this unlikely favourite of a band may have just cemented their status in music history on this night. Only time will tell, but we already know the answer, and you do too.
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