Antares were the first act on, and hailing from Leeds and having been hand-picked by the headliners to play tonight’s show, it was no surprise that they made a serious racket and went down a storm. The moshpit got going from the very first song, with one guy windmilling his way frantically around the space in front of the stage. No two ways about it, this crowd was up for it, and the charged atmosphere only intensified during Holy State's set.
Holy State make an unholy racket, and previous hometown gigs inspired me to purchase their self-titled EP. They look so unassuming, so regular, but really blast out that gritty, 90s Chicago sound with some guts. The material from the forthcoming album was far from shoddy, and there’s just something about their straight ahead delivery and tight proficiency that really hits like a punch in the gut.
To say that the crowd was hyped for Rolo Tomassi’s set would be more than a simple understatement. Having heard the tail-end of the soundcheck from the bar, I knew this was going to be one loud show, but when they hit the stage with all guns blazing the volume was something else and the result positively explosive. The bulk of the set is taken from their second studio album, but there’s still room for a few tracks like ‘Fuck the Pleasantries, Let’s Rock’ and ‘Titanomachia’ from the early releases, newly available once again on the ‘Eternal Youth’ compilation. As they tear through the songs at a pace so fast that everything becomes a blur, the temperature rises and rises until the walls and ceiling are dripping sweat.
In some respects, it’s a quite bewildering sight to behold: they don’t look ferocious, but sure as hell sound it, and Eva is, without question, an incredible presence, and if ever looks were deceiving... petite and dainty, she smiles a lot and bounces around enthusiastically. There are times when she sings with the voice of an angel and does some kind quirky sexy dancing moves... and then she lunges and emits forth her distinctive full-throated howl that’s proper shit-your-britches scary. Jeckyl and Hyde? Hell, she’d have ‘em both in a scrap and pull their limbs off with her bare hands. Of course, it’s all too easy to focus on the charismatic focal point, but it’s the chemistry and cohesiveness of the band’s component parts that makes them such a highly-charged unit, and the compass-point precision with which they flip from one style, key, tempo and mood to another in the blink of an eye is astounding.
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It’s apparent that this isn’t a band wracked with trauma by the complexities of their myriad, seemingly conflicting influences, but a band who have embraced those inherent contradictions with open arms and revel in the maelstrom of confusion that ensues. It’s a joy to watch.
Given the band’s interest in film soundtracks, it’s fitting that their show effectively forms the soundtrack for the display that takes place in front of – and frequently spills onto – the stage. Rather than being a distraction, this synergy between band and fans is integral to the experience. It’s cathartic for band and audience alike, the visceral noise a heady concoction of bliss as well as anguish. Not that the kids are giving these issues much thought: they’re too busy rucking and crowd-surfing and stagediving and generally loving every second to care.
Set closer ‘Cosmology’, the title track from their second album in many ways epitomises the duality of their sound: it's also a killer tune, that builds and builds and builds, then BAM!
They've still got plenty of juice for a two song encore, too. Circle pit carnage ensues and there’ll be plenty of party wounds in the morning. It’s a climactic end to an electric night. This is what live music is all about.
Rolo Tomassi Online
Holy State on MySpace
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