Sea Power at Islington Assembly Hall

18 April, 2025

When Sea Power agreed to score a video game, I doubt the band would have expected to gain a whole new audience or win a BAFTA. The game in question, Disco Elysium, an old fashion point and click adventure, set in a dystopian future, permeated with social and political decisions, has become a modern classic. Their decision to score the game wasn’t simply a case of getting your music featured on the latest FIFA or Wipeout, like many bands do. Handing over a song to be featured in the game. This was a full score and the music became a central part of the amazing atmosphere of the game. I’m sure even the game designers didn’t expect the game to develop such a very passionate audience amongst the more intellectually curious gamers.

Arriving just after six, there were already half a dozen people in the queue. By 6.30, there was a significant queue full of young people, many of whom were expressing their love for the game by cosplaying the main character. After seeing the audience age with me, seeing an influx of young faces is frankly brilliant to see. Many showing their nervous excitement.

Opening the evening were White Magic for Lovers, Tom White’s band with his husband Alfie, who has never been in a band before and playing some of his first ever gigs. Tom is such a talented musician and the new music is full of texture. A fine way to start the evening.

Whitelands, were warmly received at Sea Power’s Krankenhaus festival. Their shoegaze, a perfect accompaniment to tonight’s Sea Power set.

Sea Power had advertised this tour as a soundtrack tour. With several soundtracks under their belt, often using music inspired by songs on their albums, this was going to be a very different set list. I was concerned that some of the new audience might not be familiar with their albums and be disappointed when album versions of incidental music from Disco Elysium was played. But listening to their discussions in the queue, many knew the albums and even the words of the songs.

The set list was devoid of most of my favourites. All the loud moshy tracks were missing. I had assumed the set list would feature some of the fan favourites, even if they were just as an encore. However, Sea Power continue to surprise me. The set list was all texture, no noise. It was a beautiful and at times a mesmerising set. Each time a Disco related track was played, the significant numbers of youngsters in the audience cheered, I think to the bemusement of long time fans. There felt a genuine warmth between the two audiences. I found it very heartwarming.

Surprising, I was knocked out by tonight. The set list was both a surprise and a triumph. Stripped of the bombast, it showed what great song writers they are. So many beautiful textures. So many beautiful moments. It was so great to see a new audience find Sea Power and this giving Sea Power the freedom to chuck away the fan faves and play a such a beautiful show.

Set List