After a great return with their fourth studio album, Friends, WHITE LIES hit the road again and embark on a headline UK tour.

What a way to start a tour. Not only has the first show of White Lies‘ leg of UK dates happened to be their hometown gig, but it also has turned out to be a sold out O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire in London.

White Lies‘ trademark synth-rock sound is masterfully delivered throughout the entire performance. Their sharp guitars and on-point bass lines easily blend with escalating drums, having added diverse synths to the mix for an electro twist. What’s more, the sound world of theirs has surely evolved in a way and this Tuesday night proves what the band does best.

White Lies take to the stage to the thrilling opening notes of the track Take It Out On Me meeting hundred of pairs of eyes looking at them. It is clear that the fans have waited for this very moment a long time. Indeed, it has been three years since the release of their album Big TV.

As the trio has been touring in support of their recently released fourth album, Friends, we are presented with new sublime offerings. Precise synths of Hold Back Your Love shape a multi-layered nostalgia whilst their latest single Morning In LA is a chance for the percussion to build up the tension. Next, we’ve got the emotive Is My Love Enough? which is stated the band’s favourite tune from the new record.

However, for a vast repertoire compiled of four studio albums White Lies serve quite a big number of tracks taken from their 2009’s debut full-length, To Lose My Life. Not that anyone complains naturally. The title track and the songs Unfinished Business, and Farewell To The Fairground get massive cheers and see a few rows on the balcony get right up on their feet. Before McVeigh‘s deep soaring vocals start to echo again, he finally says a few words, but only that the next song hasn’t been played for a while and it surely is a fan favourite. After the short introduction the band hit the chords of The Price Of Love.

White Lies effortlessly showcase tonight’s varied composition and their transitions are confident and smooth. There is not much chatting what seems greatly sufficient. They simply bring their passion and authenticity to the live shows and you can easily tell they’ve been doing this for years.

What’s more, vast in its minimalism and rich in its simplicity the stage production surely adds to the whole live experience. The visuals in the form of background lights radiate with tinted rays of flashing red, pink and blue tones mostly, and create a somewhat fading but worthwhile aura. You get a sensation of being still in the moment.

There Goes Our Love Again and Getting Even are a nod towards the band’s third studio album, but shortly they go back again to where it all started. We get to hear E.S.T., A Place To Hide and Death which finishes off the main set, and by that time the level two of O2 SBE has been having a huge party presenting some bold dance moves.

“This is amazing coming back after three years. We fell in love on this tour. Thank you!”, McVeigh shouts and the band proceeds with the significant track Big TV and the stirring Come On leaving an impression of the approaching ending and, at the same time a feeling that it all has not been enough.

“We’ve got time for one more song. I hope we’ll see each other again. Until then we’ve been White Lies and this song is ‘Bigger Than Us‘” – the singer rounds off tonight’s set with a positive accent and gives the audience a sensation of hope as they move on to the last track.

The loud sing-along for the grand finale as the lyrics “I don’t need your tears / I don’t want your love / I’ve just got to get home” suitably accompany the night. We all are Friends here after all, and it certainly is bigger than us.

Photos: Kasia Osowiecka