We may have seen Everyone You Know on stage for the final time and with it become Everyone You Knew. The brothers shocked fans including yours truly by announcing they were pulling the plug on the act after tickets for their latest UK tour had gone on sale.
The release of album Ain't Smiled In Ages sounded like it was heralding in the next big step in the duo's career, such is its quality in story-telling to the tune of slick as-can-be production. So when it came to Rhys and Harvey taking to the stage in London on the final leg of the tour, their fanbase understood the assignment. Give the same men who've allowed them to feel both self-reflective and pumped to take on the world, the send-off they deserved.
EYK have been at the forefront of a wave of rave-inspired UK hip-hop but no peers come close in offering such levels of vulnerability and heart-spilling emotion, thanks to frontman Rhys' stunningly soft singing voice. More often than not at Camden Town's Electric Ballroom on Saturday, though, it was up tempo rap lyrics being recited by an impassioned crowd. I wouldn't be surprised to hear is still bouncing now.
Suited and booted with a smart cropped mullet to match, Rhys reminded fans he'd rather let the music do the talking than chat on the mic but given EYK's recent bombshell, he could only avoid the elephant in the room for so long. Despite not offering an explanation behind the decision to call time on the act, Rhys was sincere in thanking the room for their support over the past several years.
"Me and Harv started making music when we were 15, 16, 17, if you told us back then that we'd be standing here in front of you tonight we'd have told you to f*** right off.
"I thought I'd be cutting grass or doing some s***. To do this every day. To do this every single day of my life is an absolute dream," Rhys emotionally shared."
I left Camden after an hour and 20 – sorry support act Public Order, blame my rail replacement – dwelling on the fact I wouldn't experience another live high octane EYK show again. But thankfully the pair broke their silence on Wednesday to reveal a glimmer of hope to all those singing along to She Don't Dance, Just For the Times and All My Friends Are Taking Drugs.
Posting to Instagram EYK wrote: "LONDON!! Wow.. we are still processing that last show. We sang, we danced, we cried. That show was everything we could have ever hoped it would be. Our biggest and best show to date. 1,400 of you singing every song lyric for lyric. Thank you all so much for making that show and this tour so special.
"It’s time for us both to have a breather now and express ourselves elsewhere for a while.. but after hearing stories this tour of what our music has meant to you lot over the years it would be selfish of us to put it to bed for good. EYK WILL BE BACK. Thank you all for the memories so far. We love you all."
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