Room 94 Gig Review

Last Friday night we sent our music reviewer Hannah Fuller to exclusively review Room 94’s Gig at Koko, Camden, London for us at MarkMeets and here is what she had to say about the amazing night!

I found myself staring adoringly at the gothic-esque, romantically red walled, classic looking, theatre style venue that is Koko in Camden.

Room 94

As my eyes draw down, I notice this is mainly a teen to early twenty something year old audience. There’s a few token ‘older’ folk, but looking at the majority of figures, I could easily be at an Under 18 ‘disco.’ And amongst the sea of young, fresh faced excitement, I see half a dozen banners. ” I LOVE ROOM 94.”

Room 94 aka brothers Kieran Lemon (vocals/guitar), Dean Lemon (drums & vocals), Sean Lemon (guitar & backing vocals) and friend Kit Tanton (bass) ages from 19 – 25, all hailing from Hertfordshire.

They have been described as a ‘pop / pop –rock’ band and with a following of over 116, 000 already on Facebook, I can see they have a loyal fan base here also tonight.

As support act New City Kings thank the crowd and exit the stage, I feel as though my ear drums might burst from the sudden amount of screaming now audible.

Is that Room 94?No. It’s just the crew clearing the stage.Now I’m starting to wish I’d bought my ear-plugs.

Even the photographer is getting the star treatment as he struts onto stage to take photos of the eagerly awaiting girls and boys, predominantly female; and very excitable crowd. He flashes a grin, looking so pleased with himself for the ‘Harry Styles’ reaction he’s just received.

As giggling girls begin rushing past me, holding hands, faces beaming; the venue begins to fill even more. It’s not packed, but there is a fair few here tonight. The lights dim as a sea of camera phones become poised in the air; the chanting begins, ‘ROOM 94! ROOM 94! ROOM 94!’

Following a brief interlude of silence; bursting onto stage come the band. With their slightly edgy, but still wholesome, good looks, I’d not heard of this band until tonight and am looking forward to hearing them perform. That’s if I can actually hear them past all the screaming.

“The Morning After” is a gentle guitar playing, fun little song. Their sound I would describe as similar to Busted or Blink-182. Ok so far I’ve decided that they look like pop stars and they sound like pop stars. And I now I’m sounding like Louis Walsh.

ROOM 94 ‘No Strings Attached’ album review

By the time the boys are onto their next track, I can just about hear again. “Superstar” which is catchy without being annoying, is upbeat and lively. Not familiar with the songs myself, I find myself, ‘whoo hoo hoo, hoho hoho-ing; ‘along. Its an uplifting, feel good number and the lads of Room 94 look like they are having the time of their lives on stage. Keeping the ever attentive crowd entertained with not only their musical abilities, but in-between songs, their silly humour and banter including saying things like:-

“Dean the drummer is shy, mysterious and sexy…now Sean’s gone missing, has anyone seen Sean? Ok now we’ve found Sean and he is going to do impressions for us, but if you don’t like it, you have to ‘moo’ him not boo him as he loves eating cows.”

After a few more minutes and one dolphin, whale and shark impression later; for a moment I thought I was watching a ( bad – but somewhat amusing ), Britain’s Got Talent audition.

Having chanted, ‘Kit is fit,’ for several more minutes, “When I was a Teenager” is next to be performed. This is a fun, pop rocky number; or ‘American teen movie’ music as I like to call it. You know the ones – where the high-school kids are having a party whilst the parents are away – think ‘American Pie.’ Although these guys are a ‘boy’ band, they are not your typical boy-band with their slightly edgy and almost ‘punk-like’ vocals at time. They have raw talent. They are fresh. And they have something abit different.

From the balcony I look down and although the screaming is still there, albeit now at a slightly lower frequency than before; arms are still up high, technical devices capturing the boy’s jerky movements on stage. There are a few hip thrusts here and there, but it’s not exactly a mosh pit.

As the lights dim down again to accentuate the 4 silhouettes on stage, they look like cool hipsters with their vests & leather jackets combos and Frankie Cocozza style haircuts. ( Sorry lads. ) Lights now flashing from purple, to blue to gold – with every colour change, the crowd are getting more and more animated and there’s lots of 60’s style bopping and gentle jumping now happening all around me.

“We’re so sad it’s our last night, but I can see lots of pretty girls in the crowd, how you doing.’ Room 94. Smooth 94 more like.

Turning the tempo down now for a slower, guitar / piano ballad proving that the band don’t just want to set themselves to one just particular sound. But they are relatively new to the scene, still young and have plenty of potential to explore their sound and image.

Soaking up the atmosphere, I see a large group of suited men, sharing jokes with one-another, beers in hand, tapping along, looking rather jolly ( or perhaps drunk. ) It’s nice to see their music being appreciated by various types of people amongst the majority of school-girls; here in Koko tonight.

“Cover song time. This is the best song ever!” Ooh I wonder which song they will sing now? Oh it actually is The Best Song Ever. You know the one by One Direction?

After an impromptu version of 1D’s popular song, we’re back onto the slower, ballad tunes, ‘Dream Girl.’ All eyes still appear to be fixed to the stage, as the crowd sing along, bodies swaying and gentle twisting.  Kit then leaps up from his place at the drums so he can take some pictures of the audience from centre stage. Hands suddenly throw into the air to reveal some weird hand gestures I’ve not seen before. They’re not swearing. They’re not ‘peace-outing.’ They’re not doing Lady Gaga’s ‘monster claw.’ They just look like random finger posing sculptures.

‘Chasing the Summer’ which helps in getting me even more in the mood for some sunny weather during these cold dark days; is performed and I can feel the night is drawing to a close.

“Who wants a drumstick?” yells Dean before lobbing it into the crowd. His actual drumstick that is. Not the sweet.

“Shine Your Light” is a slower pop number and shows a more serious side to the boys with its mature sound and heart-felt lyrics. It’s almost like I’ve been on a journey with the band tonight, seeing them come onto stage as 4 young lads who want to have fun and leaving as 4 young men who wish to be taken seriously.

With so many all male bands now on the scene, producing similar sounds, with similar images; is there room for more?

From what I’ve seen tonight, in my opinion; there’s plenty of Room ( 94 ) for them. Watch this space!

The boys first EVER album “No Strings Attached” is only £7.90

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Hannah Fuller
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