Veronica Falls

Charlotte Stones

A shy and retired stage presence soon gears into sweet and charming melodies reminiscent of 1980s indie-pop. Veronica Falls stand on stage as dark shadows in deep blue lighting, entirely fitting of the haunted air of songs such as ‘Found Love in a Graveyard’ and ‘The Fountain’.

It’s not long into their set in front of a packed out and rather claustrophobic Brudenell Social Club that Veronica Falls break out of their twee-pop presence and into something almost out of the blue light in which they stand. ‘Beachy Head’ roars with rash guitar riffs and deathly yearns as singer Roxanne Clifford sweetly sings “I’m gonna miss you when you’re gone”. The crowd finally break out of their tiring and self-conscious knee jerking and begin to be rightfully taken by Veronica Falls’ flair. Even the crowd lingering on the back stairs are drawn in by their melodrama.

Just weeks following the release of their second album Waiting For Something To Happen on Bella Union, Veronica Falls don’t shamelessly plug it, instead offering their thanks to Brudenell organisers for letting them be there. The London 4-piece appears confident in their musical ability, wronging any previous doubts about their live performances’ lack of togetherness. They’re tighter together and no longer hiding behind their typically ‘indie’ haircuts with new songs like ‘My Heart Beats For You’ and ‘Broken Toy’.

They’re the perfect boy/girl vocal act; fitting lyrics as Clifford coos the juvenile charm of ‘Teenage’, singing “driving late at night I let you listen to the music you like”. Veronica Falls may well not be the next chart-toppers, or even the double-denim-patrol types to make it onto ‘hotly-tipped’ lists but it does far from ruin their credibility. Along with their songwriting, they’ve matured into an excellent live band, and one we all ought to follow in time.