Miles Kane Live at Rough Trade East, 5th June

In the recent build-up to his second album, 'Don't Forget Who You Are', Miles Kane has been gaining a reputation for being something of a 'performer' onstage - playing to sold-out venues, driving every single fan mad with his freaky guitar skills and tight trousers and even being the centre of a few insane stage invasions.
But in every article that I had read about the Kane Live Experience, it was clearly stated that he was enjoying himself; doing it for the thrill and the pleasure.  So this was one of the things that I was interested to prove correct when I travelled to Rough Trade East last Wednesday to witness the action.

I was lucky enough to get my spot down at the front, to the left, though this was the first time I had had to queue to earn it.  There was absolutely nothing blocking my view except for the odd camera lens popping in and out, but that was to be expected. 

He was only onstage for a mere thirty minutes or so, but he had shown me the most intense and exciting live performance that I have ever seen.  He had perfected his set in the soundcheck which took place whilst fans qeued outside, and showed that Rough Trade can have a good sound when they want to.  He handled his guitar like a madman, throwing it around and hurling it in our faces whilst delivering that beautiful whiny growl of a voice to some of his most massive tunes including 'Come Closer', 'Darkness In Our Hearts' and 'Don't Forget Who You Are'.

It wasn't just him on that tiny stage, though, as the rest of his band contributed just as much to the flabbergasting wall of sound which boomed from the speakers.  His drummer, Jay Sharrock - despite being hidden away behind three tall men and a truck load of gear - could not be ignored as he hammered away at his kit, leading me to believe that he turned into some kind of mutant with four arms.  He was the sweet sprinkle topping to the icecream of the band, and what delicious sprinkles they were.  His skills on the drums are obviously part genetic though, as any average music enthusiast will know that he is the son of Chris Sharrock, member of Beady Eye.                                

In the end it left a lot of us speechless.  As the girl stading next to me during the gig stated, "I wanted to move to the music, but I was just sort of frozen in place".  It was that exhilarating.  I'm happy to say I can totally say that the statement mentioned earlier is completely correct; you can just tell when he locks gazes with his bassist and they exchange excited smiles, as if it were their first time ontage.  It certainly won't be a gig I'll be forgetting any time soon, if ever.  My advice?  I know I say this every time, but I say it because it's true.  Go and buy tickets.  Witness his godlike talent and you will die a happy man.