By Jase Walker
Public Service Broadcasting represents a particularly unique part of the approach to music that generally falls under the umbrella of post-rock but also not quite. The band themselves often dress in corduroy outfits reminiscent of early BBC personalities, create music that is wonderfully unique and focused on symbolic events of human history as I found more information about throughout a chat with J from the band in an interview prior to the show.
Tonight sees a return for the band to Amsterdam following their prior show at Melkweg the previous year and also brings EERA with them for another round as support.
Walking into the venue floor I’m greeted with a familiar sight of an incredible smattering of equipment across the stage as this is a band that takes their live performances extremely seriously with replicating as much as possible through live playing while reducing reliance on backing tracks. From my first experience with them playing Wakefield’s Science Museum, they won over a solid fan in myself that is enamoured with their style and sound and tonight a much grander experience in Amsterdam’s fantastic Paradiso venue.
EERA begins the show and I had to quickly go back and check my notes from the previous show as this time, it’s actually a full band ensemble rather than just the one person. The difference in texture of the music is so much more complex with the added roles supporting the music but the characteristic sweet vocals and sombre acoustic guitar work is still very much the focus overall. I did have some small reservations about a repeat of a support act but these are immediately put to rest with such a significant change in the experience.
It’s notable that the delivery with a full band allows the more aggressive, or rather defiant, songs hit much harder in a way that can often be missed when it’s a solo singer/instrument show. This isn’t to say that shows in that format can’t be engrossing but I find tonight’s set has drawn me in much more due to the strength of added layers of synths, drums, vocals and the like.
I’m absolutely captivated by her voice though, it’s so effortlessly sweet, perfectly suited for the more chilled vibe of the accompanying music. I would genuinely love to experience this in a more intimate and closed in venue so any of the “air” that permeates larger venues like Paradiso wouldn’t be present. I mean the acoustics in this venue are fantastic but this is exactly the sort of music style I’d love to be in the middle of some dark and dingy sweat box or dive bar.
On the whole though, this version of EERA I definitely do prefer in contrast to the solo show because it adds so much weight to music that I already thought was pretty fantastic anyway. An excellent start to the evening.
Prior to their set, PSB puts up a QR code that I can’t quite scan due to a mic stand in the way, oh well! As the band walks on to start the show, the venue lights up in an almost blinding fashion meanwhile several circular screens show aircraft meters with videos overlaid on top of them. These consistently put across some of the coolest live performances that still somehow present as remarkably modest. EERA from earlier also provides extra vocals at times as well for some added dynamics to show that PSB are not exclusively instrumental.
While I do often refer to these as post-rock, it’s somewhat difficult to really say that’s all they are, often adding in elements of bluesy rock, swing, a touch of funk here and there. The swapping of instruments back and forth even during songs is quite impressive as each member of the band deftly switches around to ensure the most faithful love reproduction of their material, a fully well oiled machine.
The difference in sound and feel of their show at a much larger venue and stage such as Paradiso genuinely elevates the experience of their show. While during my interview it was mentioned that shows in Europe can have difficulties due to the cross border issues between the ÜK and Europe now, you wouldn’t believe you were missing much going off the show they’re putting on here tonight. Bringing on a brass section for parts adds new dynamics and gives even more credit to the need to truly be as live as possible.
It’s easy to believe from how the performance is going that this is effortless but thereon lies the demonstration of a group of extremely experienced individuals that can make it look like that despite the incredible amount of moving parts. Every moment meticulously put together and planned, comprehensively rehearsed to iron out as many unexpected gremlins as possible and the end result is a show that looks like it’s playing out exactly as planned from the punters point of view.
Much the same as last time it’s pretty obvious a lot of people here had been waiting for them to get to ‘Go!’, little wonder considering how much of an incredible banger it is too. Sadly we’re drawing towards the end of the show with this one finishing off the main part of the set prior to the encore.
Leaving us with a four song encore, including ‘Gagarin’ to wrap things up, a fully extensive set for an hour and half of outstanding music. PSB put on an incredible show that always gives you everything you wanted and yet more and with the addition of an expanded musical set including EERA on vocals and keys also shows that they’ve still got so much more to give. Truly phenomenal night. Thanks again guys, it’s always a pleasure and never a chore.