In three years Liverpool’s Sound City Festival has quickly established itself as one of the most important dates in the new music calendar. Whilst still perhaps lacking the prestige and manic A&R scramble associated with In The City, it can proudly lay claim to the first festival appearances of Laura Marling, Glasvegas and Santigold.
Therefore, for four days in the middle of May, in over twenty-five venues: every band is trying to catch your attention and find the much needed momentum that will fire them into festival season with “The Next Big Thing” proudly tattooed across their chests. It’s yet another reason to love this magnificent city.
This message appears to have got lost somewhere on the way to California, the home of Ganglians. Supporting local favourites Wave Machines in an intimate venue that could double for a set on Bugsy Malone would be a dream gig for many up and coming groups, however there is something strangely non-committal about this band from across the pond.
After the relentless hysterics of Islet’s preceding set, the calm and almost ambivalent nature of Ganglians is at first refreshing. On record, their sound evokes the most reverb soaked moments of Pet Sounds, and the comparison initially feels fitting. Just as Brian Wilson excluded himself from the outside world in an attempt to create his musical self portraits, Ganglians appear a completely self contained entity with each member lost in the moment. After ten minutes however, you realise they’re all probably just stoned.
Absolutely every noise emanating from the stage is covered in rudimentary delay. While the air of mystery this creates is at first enticing, after a few songs it simply builds a barrier between the band and the audience. In essence it makes recognising a melody or notable lyric near impossible; it’s a pretty artless way of avoiding any Grizzly Bear comparisons.
|
Still, a few select moments are able to escape. Recent single Blood In The Sand sounds like The Velvet Underground beating up The Byrds and features too many hooks to sink under the radar. Similarly, a new song aired tonight evokes the extended coda of Blurs’ Beetlebum with just enough charm to hold interest. Nevertheless, for most of the time this hazy representation of the band just tests the audience’s patience.
At the end of the set, due to over running stage times the band ask if they have enough time to play another song; when the request is bluntly turned down they shuffle off stage with an air of indifference. Unfortunately the disparate audience have exactly the same response.
It’s difficult to decide whether Ganglians are intentionally hiding the complexities and allure of their recently released “Monster Head Room” album, or if tonight is just a technical malfunction. Either way the effect is the same. Ganglians fail to give a true account of themselves this evening. Not that they seem to care.
|
