There’s much to be admired about Madrid indie band Hinds. With two albums under their belt, a strong UK following whilst somehow mirroring the same following in the United States, they seem to be unstoppable. A band so charismatic and enigmatic you want them to be your friends, being part of the audience is the closest many will get of course. Their performances and albums are so free from any kind of pretension, songs about the everyday without trying to decorate their lives as anything more than they are. Their second album, I Don’t Run, is full of more of this and they are gathering much more attention from the industry eye.

The key to their success is just how effortless they make it all look. That isn’t to dismiss how hard the band clearly work. But their music doesn’t try and be anything bigger than themselves and, more importantly, the songs they write are for themselves, anyone that wants in can hop on. They don’t seem fussed about being the next big thing, nor about changing any kind of musical dynamic or installing any kind of trend. Yet, in a sense they sort of have. When they started in 2014 they seemed a promising young band that would perhaps fall victim to the NME’s notorious habit of overhyping promising young bands. Their (perceived) personalities, how they just seem to want to have a laugh and ride this wave for as long as it goes, is what makes them so attractive and ultimately what has given them longevity. It’s not that they don’t care, they just don’t care if you care.

They take to a Concorde 2 stage decorated with a flag reading We are Hinds and we came here to rock. It’s a mission statement which carries the sense of freedom and fun that the rest of the show will provide. There’s so much laughter and smiling on stage, the show almost feels like some sort of indie birthday party. They’ve never been strangers to Brighton, it almost feels like a second home to them – going as far as to dub Brighton England’s Madrid and London its Barcelona.

Every song is received as though it’s a classic. The band’s charisma rubs off on the crowd and everyone is brimming with energy. The moment the band walk on and play the intro to ‘The Club’ the attitude sparks up in the room. It’s as though the band know which songs are the personal favourites of the crowd. Their music is just full of effortless cool. Their songs are light and breezy, at times funny. Each Hinds track does have a little personality of its own, a small three minute life. When they play live this really comes through. They tear through songs like ‘Tester’ and ‘Rookie’. They almost lock up and focus when it comes round to ‘Easy’. There are moments where the band break into dancing on stage, moments where they end up in the crowd entirely.

It’s hard not to get wrapped up in the band. They have exchanges with the crowd throughout the show; tracking down parents, finding the people from the London gig. It’s the kind of thing that adds a bit of realness to the show. Hinds don’t seem to aspire to be a prim and proper group and they don’t seem to be fussed about giving the show an amount of professionalism which is a breath of fresh air. They’ve made a career out of not being careerist in the slightest and it’s gained them a sort-of worldwide cult status.

There’s a strong tie between the band and Brighton. Nearly every time they visit the UK they end up here and the band have their own adoration for the city. Before they leave, they bring on their tour manager for their cover of ‘Davey Crockett’ by Thee Headcoats. Encores are commonplace these days but after they leave there is no budge from anyone in the crowd. No second guesses, they demand more and know it’s coming.

After a brief encore the realisation that it’s over for now is dampening. While spilling out many of the audience can be overheard declaring singer and guitarist Carlotta Cosials as their girl crush. They are a band like that though, the kind of people you want to be around and be yourself. They couldn’t make it look any more ideal. Despite some doubters there really is no stopping Hinds. They will be back again, I’m sure next time it’ll be even better.

Chris Middleton

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Twitter: twitter.com/hindsband
Website: hindsband.com