FU

Former Utopia (UK) ?????(5/6)

It was not been announced to the Korean / British band Former Utopia to play. Thus ended launched Sunday evening to be a nice, pleasant surprise. "Former Utopia" consists of Rama from Korea and George from East London. Rama on drums and George on guitar, with a psychedelic twist in the form of patterns and colors on the big screen behind the stage.

Genre is a mixture of all possible movements. There was spotted little Pulp, The Moldy Peaches and even Kashmir back in "Travelogue" days. On the band's website refer themselves to Joy Division, and yes, why not. The band's timing was absolutely superb, and the chemistry between Rama and George was a pleasure being a spectator. The heavy drums and the piercing guitar cultivated melodic love. Definitely a band to well could bear to hear again, and like for more than half an hour. - Gaffa Magazine (Denmark)

Returning to the kingpin stage downstairs after the Indieoke (essentially Karaoke with a live band (fear not I did not partake, so no videos of me murdering a classic will appear on YouTube)) was a set by event organiser George’s band Former Utopia. Playing as a tight three piece they belted out jarring riffs from a heavily distorted acoustic guitar supported by a solid rhythm section. - Line Of Best Fit

Another night, another great gig at Kilburn’s stellar Luminaire. First on tonight is London-based solo artiste Former Utopia, a gentleman blessed with an imposing baritone halfway between Bill Callahan and Absentee. His harsh, moody songwriting has its interestingly aggressive, discordant moments but too much of the set is devoted to mid-tempo output that meanders along pleasantly enough without leaving a lasting impression. - Damnably

Racing over from work I arrived at the Scala a little after the advertised time for doors and was pleased to find, after drinks had been bought, Former Utopia already in progress. I’d seen the act before at Jamboree in Limehouse and controversially compared him to some other ‘loud acoustic’ singer-songwriters, but, this time around Former Utopia were plugged in and accompanied by a drummer. This leant more grandeur to the songs and helped emphasize a style much closer to Smog’s Bill Callahan. The set was intimate and charming, though the last track descended into a rather disappointing electric chug.
- God Is In The TV

First act was Former Utopia, aka George the organiser of this Damnably evening. With a voice that ranged from endearing to embittered, he reminded me of Cardiff based singer-songwriter Broken Leaf in the care and craft of his lyrics and tunes and a certain humble attitude to his performance. He even tried a bit of 'one man acoustic loudness' (copyright Oxygen Thief) at the audience's request. - God Is In The TV