Concert Review: White Lies Spread At Irving Plaza

It could have been the purple, green lighting that hued their set, or the gothic arrangements and verses singing to a drab world that needs to get shaken up, but, as White Lies played Irving Plaza,I kept on thinking of Beetlejuice. Yet, I do not say that facetiously. Similarly, they have a dark colorfulness to their presence that makes you fascinated by their songs and gives you an 80’s “greed is good” vibe. 

The dynamism of White Lies’ show relies on Harry McVeigh and his pure joy to be on stage. Nobody comes out in a “We Are The Champions” pose if they do not like or deserve attention. He is giddy as he approaches the crowd and acts out songs like, “Time To Give,” “Is My Love Enough,” “Tokyo,” and “Never Alone.” He embraces the mic and points out to the audience as if the lyrics were hanging above them like chandeliers. He does not just sing; he acts. His theatricality amplifies that White Lies is a deliciously dramatic revival of the post punk era. 

White Lies feels like the haunted pop version of punk rock; hence their “Beetlejuice” vibe. Their ability to brighten and sweeten things as shadowy as “Death” and “Unfinished Business” had the crowd enthralled and attracted people of every age. Rocker signs and head bangs were abound as the audience treated songs such as, “Big TV” and “Getting Even,” like they linked to them through sonic, umbilical chords. Suddenly, people felt reborn by verses that played like Heathers; lyrics encouraged the down-trodden to get smart revenge. Naturally, people love such encouragements because, in this world, good people suffer more. 

I swear there is more good in this world than darkness, but I also feel that the good suffer more than the malicious. In serving a sound that is seedily uplifting, White Lies revealed that punk sounds like the pain you feel but sings to getting rid of it. Like every music genre, it has a purpose; to turn rage into a fun show rather than an soulful blister upon your heart. For More Information On White Lies Click Here.