The night started with a 99p cheeseburger, a Smarties McFlurry and a ticket for TOY.
Entering East Village Arts Center and climbing up the stairs, I wondered why they'd put this gig in the little room normally where bands that have no or one album to their name play. I could hear the first support act playing as I ascended, and prayed it wasn't one of those shitty local supports whose set would seem to drag on most of the night.
On first look of the band, I recognized them right away from a Deap Vally gig last year. I loved them but I had no idea what they were called till last night. I was disappointed to catch only half their set because they're honestly one of the best local bands I've seen live. The bassist looks a lot like good old Jim Morrison, and they've said one of their influences are The Doors. Sankofa are a psychedlic band, a bit shoegazey. I know them and bands like them, are on the rise in Liverpool.
The second support band were The Proper Ornaments, these have been on the road with Toy for this tour. The lead singer reminded me of Noel Fielding. Whilst the back story to the band is quite interesting, their music however, is nothing you haven't heard before. Not at all bad, just nothing new here. Their melodic pop songs are okay and they were tight live.
Toy were on at 10, and when they came on stage I didn't know what to expect about their stage presence, they took me as quite a dark looking band They came on to Conductor (the first song off their new album), picked up their instruments and got straight into it. The lead, Tom Dougall, had the presence of Harrison Koisser and Pete Doherty combined. He stayed in the shadows until it was his turn to step up to the microphone and tunefully moan out the lyrics.
Some of their songs were lengthened and there were repeated changes to the time signature. The whole room was vibrating with the pure noise being produced onstage. The air felt thick and heavy, fog and flashing lights added to the head crushing instrumentals.
It felt like a really long set because one of the contributing factors has to be the clash of instruments and it all coming together, sounding so great you feel like you need to sit down and catch a breath.
Motoring was probably my favourite song. They had such energy without having to jump around and dance; the head banging and swaying was enough. The fact that they seemed into it, made the crowd follow suit.
Echoing psychedelic/shoegaze is definitely one to witness, and TOY do it fantastically. If you get the chance, I'd take it up.
(By HOLLY)
No comments:
Post a Comment