FICKLE FRIENDS lighten up London.

Bright up and coming talent seems to have become an ever-present trademark of Fickle Friends’ live show and all that surrounds it. I’m sure the leading row of eager-faced teens would agree that the headlining band wasn’t the only act presented tonight that has all the makings of the next big thing.

Having previously been included in Fickle Friends’ tour bill on their previous stint across the UK in early 2016, KYKO has already established himself in his own right to the not-so-fickle faithful of tonight’s headliners. Providing an energetic, warm and pleasant tropical-tinged opening set, the London native woke the 100 Club up from their mid-week daze and provoked them to sway along and hang on to every chorus.

Certain shows offer a distinctive tendency to elicit the rather smug “I was there” phrase from their audience, the proudest of boasts for any music fan. These statements gain more gravitas over time, given the growth and evolution of their featured names. Only time will tell if Brighton’s Fickle Friends remain the subject of such profound bragger’s rights, but tonight certainly had all the atmosphere of a truly special show.

With only a debut EP and a whole host of well-received singles to their name, the band we know as Fickle Friends remain in their infancy, though this is not apparent by their already established proclivity for consistent hits and confidently flourishing live performances. Draped in colour with an electric crowd at their discretion, they launched into a set that had no shortage of momentum or movement-inducing moments with Say No More, a song soaked in 80’s synth charm without the cheesy aftertaste.

An already dedicated contingent of fans played their part to enthuse an already boisterous and beaming crowd by bouncing around balloons and, at one point, even showering themselves in glitter, something that feels all part of the vibrancy Fickle Friends bring in tow.

Something these fans are particularly eager for is a debut record, which by all signs, is in the making. After offering a plethora of mouth-watering singles, such as For You and Paris, both of which feature on tonight’s setlist, fans have been left waiting with bated breath for a full-length release. They got a taste of some new material tonight, which the charmingly shy Natti admitted could have gone “really badly.”

Another track that offers its impact is the recently re-vamped and re-released single Swim, which along with a unique new video has been given a second chance at a first impression and, by the looks of tonight, is thriving as it closes a stunning set.

In a world of disingenuous sound bites about the state of the industry from those who fail to contribute to its ever-changing face, it seems Fickle Friends have remembered how to write something you can dance to without compromising on substance, quality, or sacrificing their integrity. With another headline show at London’s HEAVEN already on the way for later this year and a debut record in the works, Fickle Friends are just getting started.

Words and photo: Zac Mahrouche