Skip to main content
  • News
    • MTV News
    • Trending News
    • Videos & Interviews
    • Taylor Swift
    • Kim Kardashian
  • Music
    • Music Highlights
    • Music Videos
    • Charts
    • Playlists
    • EMAs
    • MTV PUSH
    • Artists
  • Shows
    • Latest Shows
    • The Charlotte Show
    • Geordie Shore
    • Ex on the Beach
    • Just Tattoo Of Us
    • Teen Mom UK
    • The Royal World
  • Movies
    • Movies Highlights
    • New Movies Coming Soon
    • Videos & Interviews
    • Trailers
    • Moana
  • Travel
    • Videos
  • Style
  • Life
    • Life
    • MTV Breaks
    • Sex
    • WTF
    • SRS
    • Travel
    • Fitness
    • Generation Change
  • Pictures
  • Win
  • MTV Play
  • TV Guide
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Search
  • Pictures
  • Win
  • MTV Play
  • TV Guide
Home
  • News
    • MTV News
    • Trending News
    • Videos & Interviews
    • Taylor Swift
    • Kim Kardashian
  • Music
    • Music Highlights
    • Music Videos
    • Charts
    • Playlists
    • EMAs
    • MTV PUSH
    • Artists
  • Shows
    • Latest Shows
    • The Charlotte Show
    • Geordie Shore
    • Ex on the Beach
    • Just Tattoo Of Us
    • Teen Mom UK
    • The Royal World
  • Movies
    • Movies Highlights
    • New Movies Coming Soon
    • Videos & Interviews
    • Trailers
    • Moana
  • Travel
    • Videos
  • Style
  • Life
    • Life
    • MTV Breaks
    • Sex
    • WTF
    • SRS
    • Travel
    • Fitness
    • Generation Change
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Search

Alt-J

  • Main
  • Videos
  • News

Alt-J Wow with Epic BRITs Week Show In Aid of War Child

We were mesmerised...

  • Share to Facebook
  • Tweet to Twitter
  • Share to Google plus
Wednesday, February 21, 2018 - 17:29

Last night triangle-lovers from all over the capital flocked to Islington’s intimate venue The Garage to watch Alt-J do their thing in aid of War Child. All week, War Child and O2 have been bringing huge bands to small venues across Britain to raise money for their very worthy cause. Alt-J performed to a restless crowd who were eager to see this three piece, who have been touring arenas for the last few years, return to a smaller stage.

WATCH ALT-J'S STUNNING 'LEFT HAND FREE' VIDEO BELOW...

View the lyrics
Ain't shady baby, I'm hot
Like the prodigal son
Pick a petal, eenie meenie minie mo, and flower
You're the chosen one

Well, your left hand's free
And your right's in grip
With another left hand
Watch his right hand slip
Towards his gun
Oh, no

I tackle, we tussle, and, oh
My days, we're rolling
My right hand's gripped on his Colt single-action army
Oh, no

Well, your left hand's free
And your right's in grip
With another left hand
Watch his right hand slip
Towards his gun
Oh, no

N-E-O, O-M-G
Gee whiz, girl, you're the one for me
Though your man's bigger than I am
Oh, my days, he disagrees
Oh, no (Speak easy)

Well, my left hand's free
Well, my left hand's free
Well, my left hand's free
Oh, no

Ain't shady baby, I'm hot
Like the prodigal son
Pick a petal, eenie, meenie, minie, mo
And flower you're the chosen one

Well, your left hand's free
Well, my left hand's free
Well, my left hand's free
Well, my left hand's free
Well, my left hand's free
Oh, no
Writer(s): Thomas Green, Augustus Unger Hamilton, Joe Newman Lyrics powered by www.musixmatch.com
Hide the lyrics

Alt-J’s set list covered all three of their albums: An Awesome Wave, This is All Yours and Relaxer. At first, it seemed like the band were taking us through their greatest hits in chronological order; they opened their set with fan faves ‘Fitzpleasure’ and ‘Something Good’, and worked their way through ‘Nara’ and ‘Gospel of John Hurt’ to the roaring ‘In Cold Blood’. Performed in order of release, these tracks showed Alt-J’s progression from newbies to total pros, with each new phase in their career playing with their unique sound.

When Alt-J first arrived on the scene, they were heralded as a breath of fresh air in the world of indie boy bands, thanks to their new take on classic guitar riffs (they originally played the twangy ‘Taro’ using a roll of electric tape on a guitar) and avant-garde lyrics. They even sample Miley Cyrus in ‘Hunger of the Pine’! Their artistry makes them one of the most exciting bands to see live, as they think (and play) differently. Last night they brought all of this and more to their impressive set.

One of the most enjoyable things about the gig was Alt-J’s refusal to rush; they ambled through their slower songs like ‘Bloodflood’ and ‘Pleader’ (which had an epic and extended introduction), and treated us to their lengthy album interludes. Just as their albums appear as one whole entity rather than a collection of singles, Alt-J’s live show is an entire thoughtful production rather than merely consecutive performances. This made for an immersive experience.

It wasn’t all long intros and lingering vocals, however. Alt-J also treated us to their punchiest up-beat tracks like ‘Every Other Freckle’ and ‘Left Hand Free’ to keep us on our toes. We weren’t alone in belting out the choruses of these tracks, which seemed to genuinely touch the band that must be so used to their audience screaming their words back at them! Lead singer Joe responded to our enthusiasm throughout the night, aiming the mic at the audience for us to sing along in a way that only a front man can.

As Alt-J have grown older and wiser, their music and live shows have grown with them. Last night, it was a pleasure to see the guys go back to basics with nothing but their instruments and the great lighting of The Garage. Packed together on the relatively small stage, we could see just how in synch Alt-J are, with Joe and keyboardist/ vocalist Gus matching each of drummer Thom’s complicated beats.  

Alt-J’s War Child gig proved that these guys are some of the most musically exciting people in the game, and it was amazing to watch such an established band take to a smaller stage for the night. Can we do it all over again please?

Words: Katharine Giff

Listen to your favourite tracks no matter where you are with the MTV TRAX music app. No ads, no limits, no monkey business. Download it now for FREE at mtvtrax.com.  

Latest News

Get To Know - KIRBY
Get To Know: KIRBY
Get To Know - Boy Pablo
Get To Know: boy pablo
Quiz: What’s Your Group Chat Personality?
Get To Know - Zoe Wees
Get To Know: Zoe Wees
Get To Know - Joshua Bassett
Get To Know: Joshua Bassett
Nathan Dawe - MTV PUSH UK & IRE 2021
Nathan Dawe Wins MTV PUSH UK & IRE 2021!
Griff - MTV PUSH UK & IRE 2021
Griff Talks “Inspirational” Taylor Swift, Lorde & More
Pa Salieu - MTV PUSH UK & IRE 2021
Pa Salieu Won't Be Defined By Genre: ‘I Can Do Whatever I Want’
Bree Runway - MTV PUSH UK & IRE 2021
Bree Runway: 'Can You Imagine How Crazy I’m About To Go In 2021?'
Inhaler - MTV PUSH UK & IRE 2021
Inhaler: ‘We Were A Really Bad Heavy Metal Band For A While’
How To Look After Your Mental Health In 2021
Nathan Dawe - MTV PUSH UK & IRE 2021
Nathan Dawe Talks ‘Massive’ Collabs For 2021
Claudia Valentina - MTV PUSH UK & IRE 2021
Claudia Valentina: ‘My Dreams Have Never Been Small’
Arlo Parks - MTV PUSH UK & IRE 2021
Arlo Parks Has Her Sights On Acting & Directing
AWA - MTV PUSH UK & IRE 2021
AWA Says Her Debut Album Is ‘Very Vulnerable and Open’
220 KID - MTV PUSH UK & IRE 2021
220 KID Tells Us The Heroic Reason Behind His Name
Alfie Templeman - MTV PUSH UK & IRE 2021
Alfie Templeman Just Wants To Make You Smile
MTV PUSH UK & IRE 2021
Voting For MTV PUSH UK & IRE 2021 Is Open!
Get To Know - Iann Dior
Get To Know: iann dior
Get To Know - J.I the Prince of N.Y
Get To Know: J.I The Prince Of N.Y

More From Alt-J

Alt-J
Alt-J Wow with Epic BRITs Week Show In Aid of War Child
Music
New Music Round-Up: Fifth Harmony, Lorde, Arcade Fire, Major Lazer & More
Music
New Music Round-Up: Kendrick Lamar, Calvin Harris, Kasabian, Demi Lovato & Much More
Could Blur And Oasis Be Headlining Glastonbury? TOGETHER?!
Sam Smith, Clean Bandit Up For 2015 Ivor Novello Awards
You'll Never Guess Who's Joining Pharrell Williams At Glastonbury?!
Alt-J
Left Hand Free
Sam Smith, George Ezra, Ed Sheeran Lead 2015 BRIT Award Nominations
Jessie J, Ariana Grande And Nicki Minaj Storm To No 1 With Bang Bang
Listen To Alt-J Sample Miley Cyrus in New 'Hunger Of The Pine' Track
Alt-J Not Splitting Up After Gwil Sainsbury Quits Band
Emeli Sande Wins Big At 58th Ivor Novello Awards

Trending Articles

Charli D’Amelio Sets The Record Straight About A Fake “Leaked” Picture Online
10 Things Your Heartbroken Friend Needs To Hear
21 Types Of People You'll Find In Every Friendship Group
Celebrity
10 Celebrities Who Have Some Seriously Kinky Sex Likes In The Bedroom
18 Most Naked Of Naked Moments To Have Ever Hit Geordie Shore
How To Look After Your Mental Health In 2021
13 Questions You've Always Wanted To Ask A Porn Star
  • Contact Us
  • Access Services
  • Website Terms
  • Mobile Terms
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • MTV Jobs
  • MTV Press
  • Anti-Slavery
  • Global Tax Policy Statement
Hit us with some keywords!