OVER the past year, I Dream In Colour have been quietly forging a reputation as one of the UK indie scene's best-loved hidden treasures - and following their third consecutive sold-out London show, the buzz can only continue to build.
With the first shoots of mainstream recognition now bursting through, including an endorsement from Metro for debut single Strangest Place, it might not be long before intimate gigs at smaller venues like Cargo in Shoreditch - where they headlined for a full house last Thursday (Feb 16) - are a thing of the past.
But while that would be a loss to the faithful army who've supported them from the outset, there's no doubting they've earned their big break. Since their early adventures as one of Bishop's Stortford's most popular bands, I Dream In Colour have far outgrown the local circuit and made their own fortune through hard work, determination and playing as many gigs in as many cities as possible.
Last week's hat-trick outing, attended by a crowd of several hundred, was a fitting reminder of why they've built up such a fervent cult following. Their set was a perfectly-balanced mix of uptempo rockers and gentler, more introspective numbers - and as usual, they had a couple of new songs to keep onlookers on their toes.
As long-standing fans are aware, I Dream In Colour are among London's most creatively fertile bands, constantly writing new tracks and reinventing themselves musically while keeping a tight grip on their quality control. New songs drift freely in and out of their setlists all the time, giving regular visitors plenty of reasons to come back for more.
This was best summed up by their much-demanded two song encore, which launched with delicate, piano-driven new number Still Got A Hold On Me and closed triumphantly with chest-thumping rocker Finding The Courage - a hangover from their earlier incarnation as Sub Pop Sunday and still every bit as thrilling.
Charismatic frontman Richard Judge continues to impress as a future superstar, embodying both the fearless swagger of Liam Gallagher and the vulnerable operaticism of lovelorn troubadours like Jeff Buckley, while his bandmates' tight-as-a-duck's-bum backing succeeds at being musically intricate without descending into tedious show-off fretplay.
With new UK shows announced to accompany the release of their next single London, it's well worth booking early to find out what the fuss is all about. See www.idreamincolourband.com.
• Click here to watch an exclusive unplugged performance of Strangest Place.
