British Sound Project-Manchester Victoria Warehouse
30.09.17
V's
Invisible Wind Factory Liverpool
14.10.17
White Lies/The Horrors Headline last 2 Autumn Festivals
Well its been a long journey on the 'Friends Tour' so an end to the campaign looms for fans and the band ,so theres a treat in store with 2 special warehouse gigs.
First up 'Manchester Victoria Warehouse' and there is new talent promised in the run up to the band's closing set late tonight.
As the event starts the spacious warehouse is quite empty there are 2 stages, stage 1 is where I'll be based all night.
I notice on the show times running list first band on are 'White' (tisk I think to myself fancy having a band with half the lads name for theirs) oh well can't be that good.. Can they?
'White' arrive on stage with bass player in printed wacky trousers, first impression he reminds me of 'Tim Burgess' with the boho bob its blonde one side and brown on the other side ''Hmm I think this will be quite bizarre", Drummer is female and she takes to her drum kit, and singer a very indie looking guy walks up to the white coloured mic stand taking it all in
...
I'm thinking never seen such a bunch of misfits.
They begin, its funky a bit 80's and a bit 90's, really rhythmic, verdict is its not bad.. I think, next song 'One Night Stand Forever' starts ''Hmm hang on, yeah its danceable ,I'm dancing definitely moving, lyrics are interesting yes quite good" singer named 'Leo' dances around the stage holding the mic stand his hair flying flailing arms during a manic song 'Step Up', the crowd is getting into it too.
Then 'Living Fiction' 'Oh my god can it be!! this just never happens a first act being pretty epic,but 'White' most certainly are just that,the songs are Groovy Indie Disco but at the same time quite unique its possibly the best band I've stumbled across since ... well since 'White Lies' of course and that was nearly 10 years ago.
I and most of the 'White Lies' crew in our crowd were suitably impressed by this band that everyone was dancing the crowd got a bit bigger by the time they played 'Sweat' and the even more funky 'hands in the air' lets lose our shit "Future Pleasures' I'm feeling euphoric "Yes I think I've just witnessed the future of 'Rock N Roll' ''.
No need to see any other bands now that as good as it gets ha, the band are from 'Glasgow' at the moment there's no plans to do another live show here til next year sob.... I bag a setlist from 'Leo' and discover later that I can buy a FULL album online,and so I do almost immediately.
Next band on are 'Airways' seen them with 'Nothing But Theives' last year along with the now soon to be disbanded 'Vant'. Tonight they have got it together I particularly noticed on my right the guitarist using fuzz and wah wah and feedback to a better effect than last time they found their way with the image a bit than they had just 10 months ago their sound has grown.
Its now the turn of 'Toy' a long haired brooding guitar band,who have a droning sound and oh dear lord what a racket it is, its times like these earplugs are essential the singers vocals drowned out in the spacious warehouse ,its just noise the crowd though have expanded and more people pack in and are dancing about to 'Toy's sound oh well you can't accuse me of 'Falling In With The Crowd'.
'Spring King' are next the singer plays the drums and they are another Indie style act they supported 'Kaiser Cheifs' a couple of times, they're sort of a friendlier version of 'Slaves'without the pogoing, and more band members quite an entertaining set I liked it.
9.30pm almost time for 'The Horrors' really excited love their sound these days 'Skying' is a great album and hope to enjoy the new tracks as they've just released a new album 'V', you can't really see a lot when they come on for the dry ice being pumped out and lasers, 'Faris' is very tall his shadowy figure in front of the mic stand, with a unique percussion section to the right a pyramid drum machine, they play a new track 'Hologram' it sounds like late 70's synth pop the hook addictive and mesmerising as the synth swirls.
They play one of my fav tracks 'Still Life' from 'Skying' they played a few from 'Primary Colours' but main focus was 'New album tracks tonight as it was only an hour slot, so much so that the set was not long enough so I'll see them again, they were great.
Now it's time for the boys from 'White Lies' to close the event as they take to the stage the crowd is suddenly massive ,as they notice the sea of 'White Lies' t-shirts as eager fans cheer and greet them they look very impressed.
'Swing' has been added but 'Getting Even' has gone as the boys also have an hour slot most of the crowd have come just to see the band its a great atmosphere, the time passes quickly as the chiselled down set comes round 'Big Tv' and 'Bigger Than Us' with white confetti blasting from canons either side and great white balloons bouncing over the crowd's head. One finds its way over to 'Harry's mic stand and belts back, the band come over to take a bow as balloons are going everywhere.
After I find out a revelation 'Charles' dosent like 'Balloons' at all actually then its time to leave for home.
As I arrive in 'Liverpool' only a few weeks later its surprisingly sunny this afternoon ,we are waiting for one of the bands to finish soundchecking.
Once inside its another warehouse building but smaller than 'Manchester's, the stage is over to the left but wait .......somethings missing 'No Barriers' we stand up and lean on the low stage, chatting and relaxing til the next band it's a special end of tour show with much of the 'White Lies' fanbase present.
The stage is small, and built into the wall is a huge fan rotating round, ah so that's why its called 'Invisible Wind Factory' but as I watch it I cant help thinking of a scene from 'James Bond' first band on are' Arno' and then 'Caro' (Whom I've seen last year at 'On Roundhay) they've both been doing small festivals, then 2 experimental instrumentalists 'Law Of The Land' did nothing for me just guitars and no vocals works only for a b-side not a full album, but that's my opinion.
The next band 'The Bohos' from Liverpool and the vocalist/guitarist is a cheeky lad pulling his face at my camera, missed the moment sorry ,they are good though despite the high jinks.
Now theres a change in the set up as we welcome on stage 'Black Honey', they are touring with 'Royal Blood' next month, and are from 'Brighton' the two guys are wearing leather jackets and,then female vocalist walks on stage, wearing only a blouse/ shirt and Red PVC High Heeled boots,the stage is so low so the view is a bit too much for my eyes.
This aside whilst averting my gaze,the band were actually great think 'Blondie' and 'Hole' they will be the next BIG Female fronted rock band from U.K. , one song is actually called 'Madonna' perhaps she may be a fan of the 'Queen Of Pop' too.
During the second half of the set she goes walkabout, for at least a good few minutes she upped and went, don't know why technical issues? ,but after much confusion she walks back on stage saying 'Liverpool you've been great Thanks', she starts another song then she climbs over the amp nearly boots my mates handbag off the edge and got too close to my face almost, she decides to sit down and sing she did apologise quietly but still.
They are definitely a band to watch on the rock scene ,she'll be a teenage boys pin up soon. 9.30pm the stage clears down for the boys equipment, It's the last time we'll see 'Jack's 'Friends' artwork drumskin its only now I realise this.
It seems to be full again of hardcore 'White Lies' fans including me and 'White Liars' facebook crew,its like a great reunion my best mate is also present tonight from her European adventures, its going to be emotional.
As 'Harry' walks on stage literally over our heads at one point he says a quick Hello to the crowd, beaming at the masses before beginning the show.
Tonight 'EST' is in the set again its a welcome return from their debut 'To Lose My Life' & we also get 'A Place To Hide' the crowd are loving this special gig. We even get the good ole 'Ritual' track 'Streetlights' which they rarely play but its their fav 'Ritual' track (well that and 'Peace & Quiet' favoured by 'Harry') then it was on with the usual 'Friends' album tracks,there seemed to be more excitement and emotion on the stage.
By the encore it was almost time to close the chapter on 'Friends' the white confetti minus balloons this time as the band say "Thank You Liverpool, we hope to see you sometime soon, Goodnight".
I had a moment realising it's the last show, waving goodbye after I had a problem moving.. no I did, I couldn't move, I danced so much in my heels I couldn't put my feet down *Pained*, the shame, I hastily dashed bootless I say dashed ...minced on the pavement so I was rescued by a good friend/guardian angel who kindly lent me her trainers so I could stand up and talk to the band *Embaressment* .
I manage to get a quick chat with 'Charles' and he signs my poster before he rushes off amid requests for selfies which he always kindly stops for, and then 'Tommy' before going over to see 'Jack' and 'Harry' I got unexpectedly emotional "I'm going to miss you guys" I tell him he smiles and shrugs positively "Ah we'll be back soon need to take some time off , we're working on the new album" but I'm also told there may be festivals next year.
So there you have it hopefully they wont be gone too long and will return fresh from the break with a new direction .. *Emotional Endings*.
Put Your Own Caption that you like for this one !! LOL
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