05 live reviews

Being 747 Live review - 17/02/05 - The Cardigan arms

You know your onto a winner when the gig kicks off with the lead singer of the trio charges through the audience with a giant plane on his head, and dives straight towards an air raid siren, vigorously winding it whilst toiling with the plane that keeps swinging round and blocking his eyes. Meanwhile, the bassist is playing the electronic organ wildly whilst at the same time plucking his bass, a miraculous feat and one that must be seen to be believed. Once the slapstick chaos has calmed down a bit (it never truly stops at all), they launch into their first song "The girl who fell asleep whilst watching her life flash before her eyes"; a melodic yet racy number that cant help but immediately initiate foot tap and head bob, whilst dispelling rumours that this band are just a joke. Their set is charged with something out of this world.
The unity between the band members is water tight, they laugh and joke throughout songs, they know each of the audience members by name and actually heckle the crowd..but still the tunes keep coming. They seemed to be getting better and better with every song. Songs like "Target Practice" add tenderness to an otherwise hyperactive set and instant classic "The golden Couple", with constant yet welcome mood swings and seems to verify that Being 747 have the ability to make truly unique and inspirational music. It occurred to me earlier that if only they would sign to a major record label then they would undoubtedly
get the recognition that they deserve. However as the night went on, it seemed that maybe they don't want to, they appeared to be totally involved in
what they were doing, and happy at their current level of accomplishment. For their final number, "mind of a 12 year old child", they showed their true potential. It was fast, furious catchy and the sort of tune that would bring the house down at an indie club night and get even the cleanest of converse tapping. It seems to me that Being 747 are at a fork in the road, and they have a choice to make. They can either jet off to instant stardome, or carry on as they are now and whiz by, just below the radar. In my view, for this band not to be a multi platinum selling out fit in the next fear years would be criminal. (9)

Jonny Price

writting for Leeds Student 0205