By Monk
Life is full of new experiences and tonight was one of them, as I ventured into the glass-fronted glittery, shiny new Queen’s University Students’ Union building for the first time since it was rebuilt. Yet to visit the once hallowed halls of the basement Mandela Hall, my first trip takes me to the second floor and the expansive new main bar, divided in two for this intimate co-headlining show, the final night of the punningly entitled ‘Stable Mates’ tour.
Things get off to a somewhat ignominious start, as openers PTRNS are suffering technical problems, with the vocals initially drowned in the mix. Now, in such circumstances it would be extremely easy to blame the sound crew, but you have to bear in mind that these are student volunteers learning their craft – and, as it turns out, the issue is down to Nicole’s in-ears not working properly.
Despite the initial momentum having been killed, the band prove their tightness by going on to deliver a set of smooth, elegant and eloquent psychedelic vibes interjected with occasional big angry guy vocals. Highlights of “the most loose set we have ever played” are debut single ‘Magnolia‘, which has a nice crunchy edge to its guitar riff, and new song debut ‘Through It All’, which has as very nu-grunge post-punkgaze feel.
All in all, despite the tech issues, an enjoyable set.
- PTRNS play The Empire Music Hall on Friday 21 February, with Mr Pink, Jet Black Tulips and Le Scenes.
“We know a thing our two about moustaches” declared frontman Joseph Padfield somewhat incongruously as Bannered Mare undertake their soundcheck. And it has to be admitted that he does sport some neat facial hair (although he and his bandmates would be going something to compete with the lads who had just left the stage)… but, its not really here nor there, is it? It’s about the music not hirsuteness, after all…
And sonically we are treated to huge swathes of indie guitar pop with plenty of melodic sensibility and psychedelic interludes – sort of like Inspiral Carpets with balls! While their set is largely based around their debut EP, ‘Fear Of Missing Out’ (which they’re generously giving away for free outside), they do unveil a new single, ‘Pet Particular’, which is a slice of energetic power pop, emphasizing their tight, energetic alt-pop vibe, which will appeal to fans of the likes of classic The Wonder Stuff and Terrorvision.
Hometown advantage means that our nominal “headliners” are Broncos, a band we have been championing very loudly, with both their releases to date earning our coveted #SinglesClub #DailyPick accolade, and who feature a man for whom I am amazed there are enough hours in the day to cater for all the various projects in which he is involved… and, as if to prove my point the ubiquitous Michael Smyth is pulling double duty tonight as both the man behind the kit and the one terms of steering the entire ship clear of any icebergs as promoter of the gig…
Needless to say, I had been looking forward to my first live encounter with the trio, and I’m glad to report I was not disappointed, as the trio blend melodic post-hardcore intensity with grunge-infused shoegazing, all the while underpinned with a feeling of pent-up fury about to be unleashed at any second. Big, winding noise rock riffs intertwine with a dense, almost sludgy bottom end in a brilliantly, brutally rewarding collision of alt-emo and post-punk hyper-sensibilities. Hell, they even reveal a pre-grunge post-grunge Nirvana-esque new song and then go on to throw in some speed metal, just for the shits and giggles.
The result is a classy exhibition of dense, enthralling post-rock dynamism.
- Broncos open for Dullahan and Mucksavage at the Ulster Sports Club on Saturday 22 February.
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