Leicester five piece Easy Life are an unconventional group, perfectly fusing pop and indie-rock and jazz impeccably. Keeping with their unconventional nature, Murray Matravers, the frontman of the group, takes to the stage at a sold out Rough Trade East wearing a full hotdog costume. It’s all a part of the promo for their brand new EP: ‘Junk Food‘, released a week prior. Easy Life still haven’t released a full studio album, but after earning second place on the BBC’s Sounds of 2020 shortlist and with their new 7 track EP, it is clear there are big things ahead for the group.
Easy Life power through a 45 minute set performing nearly all of their latest EP, as well as most of their other big hits from their career so far. What was perhaps most striking for me in the short set was the musical ability of all the group members – each track sounded as perfect as the studio versions, with lead singer Murray and bassist Sam Hewitt even unexpectedly whipping out their saxophone and trumpets for the jazz-infused track ‘Sunday‘.
Throughout the set, the group continually asserted how grateful they were for the support of the fans in attendance, who all seemed particularly excited to be up close and personal with the young group. In response the band seemed genuinely so appreciative that everyone had turned out to see them and it was clear they wanted to put on the best show possible.
Early tracks like ‘OJPL‘ and ‘Nightmares‘ received some of the best reactions as the crowd echoed back nearly every word sang by the group, but newer songs like the Arlo Parks collaboration ‘Sangria‘ and the pop-hit ‘Dead Celebrities‘ were just as well received by the fans in attendance.
After the set the band did a signing and their gratitude to the fans was even more evident, as they took the time to speak with every audience member who’d patiently waited to get their t-shirts, records, phones and even shoes signed by the group. I’m certain that moving forward the group’s humility and quirky personality will win them even more fans as they continue to grow.
The Gig Archive 